§ 8. Mr. Palmerasked the Paymaster-General when he expects to receive the next Annual Report of the Iron and Steel Board; and if he will request it to include in the Report an. account of the differences which have arisen between the Board and iron and steel producers over the expansion of finished steel capacity and the use of iron ores.
§ Mr. MaudlingIt is expected that the Annual Report of the Iron and Steel Board for 1957 will be submitted in the early summer. I am certain that the Board will report on all matters relevant to its responsibilities for development of the industry, and I see no reason to ask it to particularise in the manner suggested.
§ Mr. PalmerWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether his Ministry concurs in the view of the Iron and Steel Board that the steel producers are altogether much too cautious in their development policy?
§ Mr. MaudlingI think this is a matter on which there is always a possibility of there being two views. The judgment as to the exact level of steel demand in five or six years' time is open to a very wide margin of error. It is important that we 6 should have in mind not only the views of the steel industry but very much the views of the Iron and Steel Board.