Hematite Pig-Iron

HC Deb 10 March 1952 vol 497 cc988-9

4. Mr. Stephen Swingler

asked the Minister of Supply when he proposes to introduce a scheme for the allocation of hematite pig-iron.

Mr. Sandys

I regret that I cannot yet say how soon it will be possible to introduce an allocation scheme for hematite pig-iron.

Mr. Swingler

Is the Minister aware of the great urgency of this question? Does he appreciate the very great difficulties confronting export firms such as the one about which I wrote to him about 10 days ago?

Mr. Sandys

Yes, Sir, I recognise those difficulties, and also the administrative difficulties that are involved in bringing in this scheme. We are working hard on it, but it will be at least two months before the scheme can be brought in.

Mr. A. Woodburn

Will the right hon. Gentleman resist the sometimes successful propaganda of steel-using industries that iron is not important in the cast iron trade, and ensure that the utmost investigation will be made before any iron is switched to steel?

Mr. Sandys

I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that the iron-using industries will not allow me to forget that.