HC Deb 11 December 1950 vol 482 cc799-801
32. Sir Richard Acland

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware of the shortage of standard steel joists, angles and channels in the normal wholesale trade channels; and whether he has investigated a specific complaint on this subject from an engineering firm in the Gravesend area of which he has had notice.

Mr. G. R. Strauss

There has been extensive additional ordering of steel by the building and contracting industry during the last four months, both direct from steelworks and from stockholders. Deliveries of steel to this industry have substantially increased during the period, but have not yet caught up with the abnormal ordering. The engineering firm to which my hon. Friend refers buys its steel from stockholders, many of whom are temporarily sold out. Regular deliveries are being made to them, but it has not yet been possible to supply all the extra steel they need to satisfy their customers.

Sir R. Acland

Is steel of this kind under any form of Government control, or is it entirely in the hands of merchants and the trade?

Mr. Strauss

It is not under Government control.

Sir R. Acland

Will it not be quite soon?

Mr. Strauss

It may become necessary, but my hon. Friend will appreciate that to have any detailed control over the activities of the 2,000 stockholders would be exceedingly difficult.

Mr. Gibson

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a large number of housing authorities are in difficulties about steel for housing work? Can we have an assurance from him that steps will be taken to see that sufficient steel is available for housing work to prevent any hold-up in building?

Mr. Strauss

The supply of steel has increased immensely during the last five or six months. Indeed, the deliveries to the building and contracting industries doubled between August and October. There is, therefore, no absolute shortage of steel, but there has been over-ordering by a very large number of people which has created a shortage.

Sir R. Acland

But does not this mean that a great deal of essential work is being impeded?

Mr. W. G. Bennett

Will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that this shortage is not caused by the extraordinary demand for joints, angles, etc., for the Festival of Britain building?

38. Lieut.-Commander Baldock

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware of the general shortage of steel sheets, rods and angle sections; and to what extent this is influenced by the rearmament programme.

Mr. G. R. Strauss

Yes, Sir. None of these temporary shortages has been caused by the rearmament programme.

Lieut.-Commander Baldock

Does the Minister not consider that it would be likely to reduce the over-ordering of which we have heard if the building industry, in particular, realised that rearmament was not likely to absorb a very greatly increased quantity of steel in the near future? Could the Government make a statement on the subject?

Mr. Strauss

I do not know whether that would be helpful.

Lieut.-Commander Gurney Braithwaite

Was not this one of the matters raised during the recent Washington conversations, and would the Minister represent to his right hon. Friend the Prime Minister that it would be of advantage to the House if he could include some reference to it in his forthcoming statement?

Mr. Strauss

Some of the particular shortages about which I am asked are due to temporary causes and are not really within the general category of shortages of non-ferrous metals to which reference has been made.