§ 29. Mr. Croninasked the Paymaster-General if he will request from the Iron and Steel Board, under Section 16 (2) of the Iron and Steel Act, 1953, a special report on the development of the iron and steel industry over a period of years in the immediate future; and whether he will publish such report as a White Paper.
§ Mr. MaudlingThe Iron and Steel Board is now preparing a report on the development of the iron and steel industry over the next six years, which it hopes to 9 submit to my noble Friend in the near future. The report will be laid before Parliament in accordance with the provisions of Section 16 (2) of the Iron and Steel Act, 1953.
§ Mr. CroninWill the right hon. Gentleman, in the course of his researches, bear in mind that the capital expansion of the steel industry has become grossly short of national requirements since denationalisation? Will he bear in mind that the British Iron and Steel Federation has itself acknowledged that over the next five years finance available for capital expansion will fall short of the minimum necessary by £20 million a year?
§ Mr. MaudlingI cannot accept the implications of the hon. Members supplementary question. I suggest that he await the report.