§ 1. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Supply if he is aware of the shortage of hematite pig iron owing to reduced imports of ore; and what steps he is taking to maintain adequate supplies.
§ The Minister of Supply (Mr. R. Maudling)Yes, Sir. Temporary difficulties in securing shipping space have reduced the imports of hematite ore and caused some shortage of hematite pig iron. Greater supplies of foreign ore are now coming in and imports of hematite pig iron are being arranged.
§ Mr. SwinglerCan the Minister say how soon this difficulty will be overcome? Is he aware that a firm in my constituency, about which I wrote to him, has had continuous trouble about the supply of hematite pig iron, as a result of which there is a serious drop in production at the present time? Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that normal and adequate supplies will soon be available?
§ Mr. MaudlingI think that these difficulties have been strictly temporary. Increased supplies during April should meet the situation. As to the particular case which the hon. Gentleman has in mind, I am about to write to him on the matter.
§ Mr. NabarroI rather gather that the shortage of imports of iron ore arises owing to the record imports of coal. Is not the long-term solution to the difficulty to get more coal from British pits?
§ Mr. MaudlingImports generally have some effect on the importation of iron ore.