HC Deb 02 February 1948 vol 446 cc1469-70
48. Mr. Erroll

asked the Prime Minister which Minister is responsible for the Steel Priority Scheme.

The Prime Minister

General questions connected with the arrangements for the limited use of priority symbols to implement steel allocations, which were announced by the Paymaster-General on 20th November, should be addressed to my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, under whose supervision the inter-departmental machinery for the allocation of steel supplies operates. Individual authorisations for the use of the priority symbol in accordance with these arrangements are the responsibility of the various Departments concerned.

Mr. Erroll

Does the Prime Minister think that this form of divided control is likely to be effective?

The Prime Minister

I do not think that there is a divided control.

Mr. Manningham-Buller

Are we to understand from the Prime Minister's answer that the promise made by the Lord President of the Council in August of last year about priority of steel for agriculture will now commence to be honoured?

The Prime Minister

It has been honoured for some time.