§ 49. Mr. Chetwyndasked the Paymaster-General why British exports of iron and steel have declined from a monthly average of 276,000 tons in the first three months of 1957 to one of 237,000 for the same period in 1958.
§ Sir I. HorobinThe decline in exports of iron and steel is due to the easing of demand in the international market.
§ Mr. ChetwyndIs it not a fact that the continental steel producers are now selling in overseas markets at below their home price, and thereby cutting us out of many of these markets? In view of the growing unemployment in the steel industry, will not the Council, in association with the European Coal and Steel Community, do something about this?
§ Sir I. HorobinThe fact remains that the exports, both in proportion and amount, of nearly all the other main countries—the United States, France, Germany and Belgium—have all fallen off more than the exports from this country. Do not let us be miserable just for fun.