§ 57. Mr. A. Edwardsasked the Minister of Supply what steps he has taken to ensure that the steel for which he is responsible is used only on vital war production; and if he can now announce that supplies of steel for ordinary building will be stopped at once?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonMy hon. Friend may rest assured that adequate steps are taken to ensure that the steel allocated by the Production Council for use by my Department is only used for essential purposes. As regards the second part of the Question, the acquisition of steel for building is already strictly controlled, with the exception of relatively small quantities sold by merchants. I am issuing an Order today prohibiting the use of steel already in contractors' hands for building purposes, except under licence, and restricting still further the sales by merchants for this purpose.
§ Mr. EdwardsDoes that mean that many of the buildings now going up in London, which have no apparent war purpose, will come to an end?
§ Mr. MorrisonThat must depend on the merits of the case and on the progress that has been already made.