§ Lieut.-Colonel Heneageasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that iron-ore miners at Caistor, Lincolnshire, are being placed on part time; and whether he will further regulate the importation of iron and steel from abroad?
Mr. StanleyThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The duty of 33⅓ per cent. on foreign pig iron, which was removed on 3rd March, 1937, was reimposed on the 13th May last. The duties on foreign steel, which were reduced on 7th July, 1937, reverted on 1st April last to their former levels, i.e., 10 per cent. for steel accompanied by quota certificates and various higher rates of duty for other imported steel. Comparatively little iron and steel is now being imported and I see no need for any further regulation of imports.