35. Mr. Eddie Griffithsasked the Minister of Power how much steel scrap was imported by the British Steel Corporation during the first five months of 1969; at what cost to the balance of payments; and how much he estimates will be imported during the remainder of the year in order to maintain the present level of steel production.
§ 38 and 39. Mr. Darlingasked the Minister of Power (1) whether he will issue a direction to the British Steel Corporation to review the arrangements of scrap supplies to steelworks, with a view to overcoming the present shortage without resorting to large imports and to avoid future shortages;
(2) if he is satisfied that the quantities of scrap steel at present being imported from the United States of America are required to maintain steel production; what are the import and home prices for scrap; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MasonThe May statistics are not yet available, but in the first four months of 1969 ferrous scrap imports amounted to 11.1 thousand tons valued at £340,000 c.i.f. but none was imported by the corporation. Home scrap arisings are not sufficient to meet the increased demand due to the high level of steel production, and the gap can only be bridged by imports. I have already put in hand a study of long-term supply and demand of ferrous scrap for the iron and steel industry, but prices are a commercial matter.