§ 1. Mr. A. Edwardsasked the President of the Board of Trade how many blast furnaces are at present out of blast?
§ The Minister of Supply (Mr. Burgin)I have been asked to reply. It would not be in the public interest to give this information, but I can assure the hon. Member that the proportion in blast is very high if furnaces being relined and standby furnaces without separate blower equipment are excluded.
§ Mr. ThorneIs the Minister satisfied that all the pig iron is being produced which is required for the steel trade?
§ Mr. BurginI am sure that we want more pig iron, and every effort is being made to see that the production of pig iron is encouraged in every possible way.