§ 38. Mr. Geoffrey Lloydasked the Minister of supply if he will make a comprehensive statement with regard to his declared intention to prohibit certain uses of some non-ferrous metals, which officers of his department discussed on 12th January with a deputation from the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and other trade bodies from the Midlands.
§ Mr. G. R. StraussThe use of copper, zinc and copper alloys for a number of non-essential purposes will be prohibited, except under licence, from 1st March. In most cases the prohibition will be effected by statutory order, but in others it will be achieved by arrangement with the industries concerned. The orders, which will be published early next month, will include permission to firms to use between 1st March and 30th June any stocks of semi-fabricated metal and partly processed articles in their possession on 1st March. A provisional list of the uses to be prohibited was issued to the Press on 28th December, 1950.
§ Mr. LloydDoes the right hon. Gentleman recollect that officers of his Department offered at the deputation to consider the question of export? Would he give early consideration to this matter, particularly from the point of view of the conversion value of the articles in relation to the original metal?
§ Mr. StraussYes, Sir, we will consider that matter.
§ Mr. Oliver LytteltonIs the Minister aware that the measures he has taken to 561 cure the famine, for which his own Department is responsible, could not be worse designed than they are?
§ Mr. StraussNo, Sir.
§ Mr. Martin LindsayDoes the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that many small firms in the Midlands are faced with the prospect of closing because, since there has been no gradual transition to war production as there was in 1939, they have not had time to arrange for rearmament work?
§ Mr. StraussIt was for that very reason that we extended until 30th June the period within which firms could fabricate articles, so as to give them time to try to substitute some other product of manufacture.