Iron Foundries (Coke Supplies)

HC Deb 12 May 1952 vol 500 cc835-6

8. Mr. Malcolm MacPherson

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the prospects of an improvement in the supply of coke to iron foundries.

Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

I regret that I cannot hold out any such prospects.

Mr. MacPherson

Does the Minister realise that this is a basic industry, doing very important work, and that in recent months it has been meeting difficulties from all directions? One of these directions was that it did not get help from the Department in improving coke supplies?

Mr. Lloyd

I appreciate what the hon. Gentleman says, but there is an acute shortage of hard coke. The steel industry has to have the very highest priority for it.

Mr. A. Woodburn

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that we are talking about a main area for the supply of iron which goes into houses? No matter how many bricklayers are employed, unless drain pipes are supplied the houses cannot be occupied. This is a vital in-dusty in the Stirlingshire and Falkirk area.

Mr. Lloyd

If there is to be a question of priority between the iron foundries and the steel industry the right hon. Gentleman should address his Question to the Minister of Supply.

Mr. MacPherson

Will the expected improvement in coal supplies include an improvement in the supply of coking coal, and will there be a likelihood of an improved supply of coke?

Mr. Lloyd

It is a question of coke oven capacity. Coke is produced not only by the National Coal Board but by independent producers and by the steel industry itself. There is an acute shortage of hard coke in the steel industry.