§ 13. Sir Reginald Clarryasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the' Ministry of Works whether he is aware that there are at least 20,000 tons of scrap metal blocking the merchants' yards at Newport; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the contents of these yards are removed and utilised before any further private railings are taken down and collected by his Department?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works (Mr. Hicks)The latest returns show 12,000 tons of scrap in merchants' yards in Newport. I am advised by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply, however, that this figure is not excessive; nor is it a reason for suspending the programme of railings recovery, which has been organised on a country-wide basis to meet the expanding needs for scrap and should be carried through while the necessary labour is available.
§ Sir R. ClarryWill the hon. Gentleman be good enough to cause an investigation into the quantity of scrap in yards which has not been collected?
§ Mr. HicksI have answered the hon. Gentleman by saying that it is 12,000 tons and that it is not too much.