§ 41. Sir Ian Fraserasked the Minister of Supply whether he will now make a statement about the availability of steel supplies during the remainder of this year; and in what direction it is proposed to restrict their use.
§ Mr. G. R. StraussI would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer last Thursday.
§ Sir I. FraserWould the right hon. Gentleman take advantage of this Question to give us further details? Will he also undertake that in any restriction the needs of agricultural machinery, especially agricultural spares, will be borne in mind?
§ Mr. StraussYes, Sir. The hon. Member can be assured that we realise the importance of agricultural machinery.
§ Mr. P. RobertsIn view of the Chancellor's reply, to which the Minister referred, and the shortage he mentioned, is the Minister now prepared to take action to stop the export of 100,000 tons of steel rails to Persia which the Government have now authorised and which will be badly needed in this country?
§ Mr. StraussI should like to see that question on the Order Paper, and anyhow it is a question for the President of the Board of Trade.