§ 15. Mr. Palmerasked the Paymaster-General if he will now make available the result of the inquiry by the Iron and Steel Board into restrictive trade practices by iron and steel producers, and also the outcome of the discussions between the Board and the British Iron and Steel Federation on the subject.
§ Mr. MaudlingThe results of this inquiry were published by the Iron and Steel Board in its Annual Report for 1957. Discussions between the Board and the British Iron and Steel Federation are continuing and my noble Friend is informed that the Board intends to cover the further progress of these discussions in its Annual Report for 1958.
§ Mr. PalmerNo doubt the Paymaster-General will agree that the information in the Report of the Iron and Steel Board was very scanty. Can hon. Members have further details in view of past pledges given to the House by the Government?
§ Mr. MaudlingI ask the hon. Member to await the publication of the Annual Report. In its Report for 1957, the Board said that it considered that the new price arrangements were acceptable and compatible with Section 3 of the Act—that is, the "competitive conditions" provision.
§ Mr. NabarroWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that there are apprehensions in trade and industry that whereas the Board has the power to fix maximum prices within the Statute the maximum prices are also the minimum prices and there is no form of appeal by any consumer of steel against this rather unsatisfactory practice?
§ Mr. MaudlingI will take notice of what my hon. Friend says.