§ 74. Mr. Sharpasked the Minister of Works what allocations of steel for industrial building purposes have been made during 1947; how much has been allocated to firms in the West Riding of Yorkshire; what qualifications a firm requires to receive highest priority; and why Messrs. Marsdens Engines, Ltd., of Heckmondwike, who carry out essential work for essential industries, cannot be given the priority required to enable them to replace that part of their works burnt out in February, 1947.
§ Mr. KeyI am unable to give, without considerable research, details of the amount of steel authorised for industrial building out of the general allocation of steel to my Ministry for building purposes. The highest priority is awarded to firms engaged on work falling within the Prime Minister's list, but the existing priority system is under review. The steel required, by the firm mentioned in the question cannot be found from the reduced allocation made for building purposes.