HC Deb 16 April 1951 vol 486 cc127-8W
85. Mr. Shurmer

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware that, as a result of shortages of steel, non-ferrous metals and industrial acids in Birmingham and district, thousands of workers are on short-time working; that redundancies are occurring in several factories; and what action he proposes to take to remedy these deficiencies.

Mr. G. R. Strauss

It is inevitable that shortages of raw materials should lead to some short time working and redundancy. The Government is taking active steps to secure increased supplies of the materials in question, for most of which we are dependent on imports. It has constantly under review the arrangements for distributing the limited supplies available to us.