§ Major GLYNasked the President of the Board of Trade whether any representations were made to the Government by the shipbuilding trade of the United Kingdom regarding the quantity of steel plates that were exported to Belgium and other European countries from January to May of this year; whether several shipbuilding yards have had to delay construction of vessels on account of the shortage of steel plates; whether the export of steel plates of British manufacture is now greater in proportion to the present output than in 1914, although the demand of the shipyards is also greater; and what steps the Government propose to take to ensure an adequate and sufficient supply of steel being available in order that work in the shipyards may be maintained and any unemployment prevented?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am not aware of any representations of the kind suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend, but I am causing inquiries to be made into the matter.