§ 15. Mr. Stephen Swinglerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how much steel he is allocating to local authorities for all purposes in the first quarter of 1952.
§ Mr. H. MacmillanIt is not the practice to publish information about steel allocations.
§ Mr. SwinglerWhy is the Minister so reluctant to give this information? How can Parliament form a judgment on his policy if we are denied this vital information?
§ Mr. MacmillanIt is the practice followed by all Governments with regard to the allocation system. I think the hon. Member and others will realise that it would be extremely difficult to operate the allocation system, either centrally or departmentally, if we had to give detailed replies as to their allocations.