§ 21. Mr. Palmerasked the Paymaster-General if he will state the latest available figure for the output of steel ingots and pig iron in the North-Eastern area; and what proportion of total capacity for that area this output represented.
§ Mr. MaudlingIn the five weeks up to 4th April output of steel ingots and metal for casting in the North-Eastern area averaged 61,800 tons and that of pig iron 42,000 tons a week. These outputs represent 65 and 60 per cent. of capacity, respectively.
§ Mr. PalmerIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these figures represent no improvement in. the steel production 8 figures of the North-East coast, taken together? Are the Government still of the opinion that there is nothing they can do about it?
§ Mr. MaudlingIn the last week or two we have done a good deal about it.
§ Mr. ChetwyndCan the Minister say what the Government have done and when we might expect an increase these figures?
§ Mr. MaudlingThe answer to the first question lies in the Budget debate. The answer to the second question lies in the future.
§ 22. Mr. Palmerasked the Paymaster-General what recommendations the Iron and Steel Board has made to him to ensure for the future, by agreement with major home users, a greater regularity of demand for iron and steel products in order to avoid extreme fluctuations of employment within the industry.
§ Mr. MaudlingAs I informed the hon. Member on 2nd February, consultation between my noble Friend and the Iron and Steel Board must be on a confidential basis if it is to be fully effective.
§ Mr. PalmerWill not the right hon. Gentleman agree that under consistent Government policy much could be done along these lines? Is there any reason why the House should not know about the steps taken?
§ Mr. MaudlingIt is one thing to have a consistent Government policy and another thing to have consistent circumstances in which to develop that policy. Any Government must try to adapt its policy to the economic situation at a particular time.
§ 23. Mr. Palmerasked the Paymaster-General, in view of the national importance of sustained production of steel, if he will discuss with the nationalised industries for which he is responsible the co-ordination of their purchasing and stocking policy so as to make the demand for steel products more even over longer periods.
§ Mr. MaudlingMachinery already exists for the co-ordination of policy between these industries.
§ Mr. PalmerWill the Minister agree that constructive discussions between the 9 Minister and the nationalised industries on these points are preferable to speeches by Treasury Ministers attacking their policies in public?
§ Mr. MaudlingI think that the speech of my hon. and learned Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, which has so annoyed the hon. Member, was much preferable to the hon. Member's speeches.