HC Deb 18 February 1946 vol 419 cc796-7
92. Mr. T. J. Brooks

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why a special licence has been granted to the United Steel Company, Limited, Sheffield, for the manufacture of their special mine cars for the British pits; and what subsidies have been granted to the United Steel Company towards the erection of their factories and for the provision of plant for the marketing of this product.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Fuel and Power (Mr. William Foster)

The decision to manufacture a drop bottom type of mine car not previously produced in this country, carried with it the need to accept the establishment here of a sole agent of the American makers of the pattern selected. The advice to the Sanford Day Company to select the United Steel Company was determined by the facts that regular tub production capacity was fully absorbed, that the United Steel Company had suitable capacity available and that that capacity was situated in a development area. The transaction has been on ordinary commercial lines, and no special licence or subsidy of any kind has been granted.

Mr. Brooks

Is it not a fact that this steel firm has, in the past, only supplied raw material, and now it is being asked to supply this manufactured material? Why is this arrangement made in America? Is it American money or are there American people on the Board, or what? We ought to know.

Mr. Foster

If my hon. Friend will put down a Question—

Mr. Brooks

I have put down a Question.

Mr. Foster

If my hon. Friend will put down a Question asking for the information for which he has asked in his supplementary question, we shall be prepared to look into it and answer it. I have no information on the point.

Mr. Brooks

Is my hon. Friend aware that there are at least half a dozen firms in this country making these cars? Here is a steel firm which only manufactured the raw materials. Have the other firms been asked? If not, why not? Why this foreign influence?

Mr. Foster

I can assure my hon. Friend that the Ministry has been and is at the moment encouraging British firms to produce their own types of cars for this purpose.

Mr. Brooks

Might I ask another question?

Mr. Speaker rose

—

Mr. De la Bè re

I think the hon. Member for Rothwell (Mr. T. J. Brooks) was right.