§ 2.39 p.m.
§ LORD WOLVERTONMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government, in view of the vital need of industry for electric power, both for the rearmament programme and export drive, what steps they are taking to ensure a sufficient allocation of steel for the water-tube boilermakers to enable them to carry out the programme of production for electric power stations in the United Kingdom ordered by the British Electricity Authority and approved by His Majesty's Government.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTH)My Lords, as announced by my right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on June 28, His Majesty's Government have decided to reintroduce controls over the whole field of steel supplies. Allocation schemes are being worked out at present, and they are planned to come into operation not later than January next. In the meantime, as the noble Lord is doubtless aware, His Majesty's Government are giving a symbol to facilitate preferential treatment of supply for limited quantities of steel urgently required to sustain production for essential home uses, such as the generation of electricity. Full details of the operation of this interim arrangement were given in another place by my right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the statement to which I have already referred. It can be found in the OFFICIAL REPORT, No. 129, column 1587. The water-tube boiler makers may apply therefore for this symbol in case of supply difficulty.
§ LORD WOLVERTONMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his sympathetic reply about the symbol interim scheme, but may I say this? I understand that the first priority is for defence orders: then there is preferential treatment for such people as boiler makers. I am credibly informed that, even under second priority, they are having tremendous difficulty in getting sufficient steel. They 1212 urgently need much larger supplies for this year than they are now receiving, otherwise their programme will not be executed. This matter is of vital importance, and I hope that the noble Lord will look into it again.
§ LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTHMy Lords, I can assure the noble Lord that the real difficulty does not arise for present production. The symbol priority was introduced to remove bottlenecks for supply of essential components at the end of the production line. For example, if a generating station that was ready to go into commission was held up for some essential component the symbol machine would be used to overcome the difficulty. It does not purport in any way to take care of large-scale supplies at the first stage of production. My information is that at the present time there is no fear of difficulty of supply hampering production, although difficulties may arise in the future. At the present time, while this interim scheme is in operation it will take care of urgent necessities.
§ LORD WOLVERTONMy Lords, by leave of the House, may I refer to the noble Lord's supplementary reply? I understand that this industry do not hold large stocks of steel and order well in advance of needs. Therefore, they will be in a real difficulty, unless they receive more supplies than at the moment. I do not wish to detain your Lordships further, but I hope the noble Lord will bring this matter to the notice of the Department concerned.