§ 79. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Minister of Supply how much the price of steel imported for the re-armament programme from the United States of America was above the price that would have been paid if it had been manufactured in Britain.
§ Mr. SandysSteel imported from America is not ear-marked for the rearmament programme or for any other specific use. Steel from all sources is sold to manufacturers at uniform averaged prices.
§ 80. Mr. Chetwyndasked the Minister of Supply what quantity and types of steel will be imported from Japan in 1953; and at what price.
§ Mr. SandysIt is as yet too early to say.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Minister of Supply on what basis he decides how available supplies of steel shall be allocated between private industries, nationalised undertakings and local authorities.
§ Mr. SandysSteel is allocated on the basis of industrial requirements. I am,120W of course, only responsible for allocating steel to those industries for which the Ministry of Supply is the sponsoring authority. Questions about the allocation of steel to local authorities should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government.
§ Mr. Edward Daviesasked the Minister of Supply the present shortages of steelmaking materials; and what progress is being made to overtake them.
§ Mr. SandysThere is still a shortage of pig-iron and scrap. The output of pig-iron has risen very considerably this year and will be further expanded in the coming months. At the same time substantial quantities are being imported. Supplies of scrap both from home sources and from abroad have also increased slightly.