HC Deb 15 July 1957 vol 573 cc727-8
1. Mr. Gresham Cooke

asked the Paymaster-General in view of the rising demand for sheet and strip steel by the steel-using exporting industries, what plans the steel industry has for erecting new sheet and strip mills.

The Paymaster-General (Mr. Reginald Maudling)

I am informed by the Iron and Steel Board that plans in hand for the development of existing wide strip mills are designed to provide by 1960 an annual sheet output of over three quarters of a million tons more than in 1956. Plans for the provision of further sheet and strip capacity after 1960 are under discussion between the Board and the industry.

Mr. Gresham Cooke

As the demands of the sheet steel-using industries are rising, and look like going on rising for the next few years, and as we do not want to be dependent upon imports of dollar sheet steel, would my right hon. Friend press the Iron and Steel Board to make its plans for a new sheet mill in 1960, if possible?

Mr. Maudling

My Answer showed that the plans do provide for a substantial expansion in strip mill capacity, but, for the details, I would ask my hon. Friend to await publication of the Report of the Iron and Steel Board, which is expected shortly.

Mr. Chetwynd

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the new plans will make us independent of imports of United States steel?

Mr. Maudling

I think it would be better to await publication of the plans before going into more detail at this moment.