§ 40. Sir I. Alberyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether he is satisfied with the recent reports made to him concerning the collection of salvage by local authorities?
§ Mr. Harold MacmillanThe reports of salvage collections by local authorities show that since last December there has been a considerable increase in the quantity of the principal salvage materials collected. All possible steps are being taken to stimulate further improvement.
§ Sir I. AlberyMy hon. Friend has not said whether he is satisfied.. I understand that in many private households the com plaint is that they cannot get salvage collected.
§ Mr. MacmillanThe question whether the Minister is satisfied is rather like the other question, "Have you stopped beating your wife?" No Minister can be entirely satisfied, and I am sure my hon. Friend would object to complacency in this matter.
§ Mr. Benjamin SmithIs the hon. Member aware that in Bermondsey many thousands of tons of scrap have been waiting for months to be removed; that inquiries have been made, and promises given to take it away, but that it is still there?
§ Mr. MacmillanMy hon. Friend will know that scrap is capital and non-recur ring salvage; and we must remove it having regard to the need for scrap and also having regard to imports and likely imports of foreign scrap.