§ 3. Mr. Marquandasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions since January, 1959, the Iron and Steel Holding and Realisation Agency has consulted the Iron and Steel Board, in accordance with the provisions of Section 19 (7) of the Iron and Steel Act, 1953, concerning the grouping or regrouping of any of its subsidiaries.
§ Mr. BarberOne, Sir.
§ Mr. MarquandWas that in any way connected with the firm of Gjeers Mills Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Agency, which has a factory in my constituency?
§ Mr. BarberNo, Sir. The one case concerned a sale by Richard Thomas and Baldwins to the Llanelly Steel Company of a 40 per cent. holding in the Llanelly Foundry and Engineering Company.
§ Mr. MarquandMay I have an assurance that if and when any proposal is made to amalgamate Gjeers Mills Limited with any other concern early notice will be given to the House? Is the Economic Secretary aware that there is great anxiety in Tees-side generally that there may be an intention to close down this firm making hematite iron, or amalgamate it with a firm operating on the West Coast which would stop the production of hematite iron altogether on the North-East Coast, which we would regard as deplorable?
§ Mr. BarberAs the right hon. Gentleman knows, under the Section of the Iron and Steel Act to which he referred, before the Agency can carry out any grouping or regrouping of its subsidiary undertakings it has to consult the Iron and Steel Board. I have no doubt that if that Section to which the right hon. Gentleman referred is involved it will carry out its statutory duties.
§ Mr. MarquandAs the hon. Gentleman is aware, I know that it must consult the Board, but my anxiety arises from the fact that when another undertaking making hematite iron in my constituency was closed down we got no information about it until three weeks before the event took place.
§ Mr. BarberI do not think I can be expected to answer questions about particular cases which do not arise under this Question.