§ 6 and 7. Mr. Ewartasked the Minister of Supply (1) if he will ensure an adequate supply of file steel to the file manufacturing industry in Sunderland, as the present shortage is preventing full production and causing unemployment;
(2) if he will arrange for the Sunderland file manufacturing firm to obtain a congen licence as production is being held up due to their rolling mills not being supplied with file steel billets.
§ Mr. SandysA congen licence was issued to the firm a fortnight ago. This should enable them to obtain sufficient supplies of file steel for their requirements.
§ Mr. EwartIs the Minister aware that the firm, having received a congen licence, will now be able to do what I asked in the Question—roll the billets themselves and produce their own material for file making? Might I also ask the Minister why this decision was not taken six months or more ago, as an argument on this matter has been proceeding from that time to this?
§ Mr. SandysAs the hon. Gentleman knows, there have been difficulties about this type of steel. So far as the present position is concerned, I have received a letter from the firm expressing satisfaction with what has been done.