§ 19. Mr. Freethasked the Paymaster-General why no announcement has yet been made with regard to the export of iron and steel scrap after 4th February; whether he will now make an announcement; and whether he is aware that the present uncertainty is making the business of merchants dealing in scrap impossible.
§ Sir I. HorobinAs announced in the Press on 2nd February, my noble Friend, in conjunction with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, has decided to continue until 7th March, 1959, the arrangements under which the basic grades of iron and steel scrap may be exported under open general licence.
§ Mr. FreethWill my hon. Friend bear in mind that one month is scarcely sufficient time to allow an independent merchant, particularly a small merchant, to enter into contracts and fulfil them? Will he get a final decision on this matter of open licences within the next week?
§ Sir I. HorobinMy hon. Friend has written to my noble Friend on this subject. He will receive a reply in the near future saying that we shall be very glad to discuss the matter with him and with representatives of the section of the trade in which he is interested.