§ 49. Mr. A. Edwardsasked the Minister of Supply how much iron from railings has been melted since he started collecting; and how much is now stocked at various dumps.
§ Sir A. DuncanIt is estimated that since collection started, 530,000 tons of iron railings have been sent to iron and steel works for melting, and that 20,000 tons are now being sorted out and cut up, preparatory to going to steel works. Only 43,000 tons remain in stock at various dumps.
§ Mr. EdwardsWill the Minister not acknowledge that this collection was a huge mistake, and the cause of immense inconvenience?
§ Sir A. DuncanThese railings have proved really first-class scrap, and they are indispensable.
§ Mr. EdwardsWill the right hon. Gentleman look at those figures again? I am sure that he will then find that an immense proportion of all the railings collected is still lying in dumps.
§ Sir A. DuncanI have given figures of the amount lying in dumps.
§ Mr. EdwardsThey are wrong.