STEEL WORKS, JARROW. (Hansard, 15 November 1938)

§ 1 Miss Wilkinson
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any statement to make about the steel works at Jarrow?

§ Mr. Stanley
I am informed by the New Jarrow Steel Company, Limited, that the contract for a new continuous rolling mill, together with all the electrical equipment for the new steel works, was placed within a month of the formation of the company. Some of the contracts for the necessary foundations and buildings have already been made and others are in process of being made.

§ Miss Wilkinson
In view of the fact that no work has yet been started on this site at Jarrow, is not it possible for the Minister to use his influence to see that there should be a little more haste in this matter?

§ Mr. Stanley
The contracts have been placed for the machinery, and I imagine that the erection of the building has a good deal to do with the possible delivery dates for the machinery to be put into it.

§ Miss Wilkinson
The Minister will realise the very long delay that has taken place, and could he satisfy himself that he is not just receiving soothing reports, but that something is really being done?

§ Mr. Stanley
I quite appreciate the hon. Lady's anxiety, and I have satisfied myself. I think the fact that the contract has been placed for this extremely expensive machinery is an earnest that something really is being done.