§ Mr. Elwyn Jonesasked the Minister of Supply if he is satisfied that everything possible is being done to increase the home supplies of iron and steel scrap.
§ Mr. SandysI have recently been examining with the Scrap Drive Organisation set up by the steel and scrap industries methods of further intensifying their efforts to collect ferrous scrap with the object of increasing the output of steel.
I have today sent a personal letter to the managing directors of some 13,000 engineering and other firms appealing to them to turn out as quickly as possible any obsolete machinery or other unwanted ferrous metal which they may have in or around their works.
The National Farmers' Union, who have been most co-operative, have, in conjunction with the Scrap Drive Organition, devised a special scheme to encourage farmers to hand in scrap metal. Under this scheme, which is already working in many counties, farmers are entitled to be paid £3 per ton for their scrap free of transport costs. A special appeal is also being made to the agricultural industry through the June issue of the "British Farmer." This appeal is being accompanied by pre-paid reply postcards on which farmers are invited to give information about any scrap they may have for disposal.
Local authorities throughout the country are also helping by organising civic scrap drives, several of which are in progress at this moment. In addition, the Scrap Drive Organisation is offering financial assistance for the recovery of dis-used tram rails and tins or other metal from domestic refuse.
167WWithin the spheres for which they are responsible, valuable assistance has been received from Government Departments, the three Services and public bodies such as the British Transport Commission and the National Coal Board.
In order to make sure that all remaining scrap is collected from Government establishments, I am arranging in appropriate cases for a joint inspection to be made by representatives of the Department concerned, of the Ministry of Supply and of the Scrap Drive Organisation. The first of these inspections will be carried out shortly at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich. Efforts are also being made to speed up the clearing of old defence works.
By means of these and other measures I believe that all action open to us is being taken to accelerate the collection of scrap metal for steel-making. But the results will, of course, continue to depend upon the response of those who hold the scrap. I therefore take this opportunity {to appeal to industry, to farmers, to public bodies and to householders throughout the country to do all they can to help provide the extra spurt which is so much needed in the present critical state of our national economy.