Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Minister of Munitions whether the director of steel production has fixed a maximum price of 22s. per ton for ground fireclay as from 1st May; whether the pre-war price of this material was about 5s. 6d. per ton; whether the current price of ground fireclay in Scotland in April was generally under 11s. a ton; whether one of the largest producers of ground fireclay wrote to the Ministry on 5th June offering to supply at 50 per cent, less than the price authorised; whether any reply has yet been made to that communication; and whether, before paying a higher price, the Ministry will first avail themselves of all suitable supplies at 11s. or less per ton?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYThe circumstances in some areas necessitated the fixing of a maximum price of 22s. per ton. The pre war price of this material was generally considerably more than 5s. 6d. per ton; the current price in Scotland in April was generally more than 11s. per ton. A letter containing what appears to be the offer referred to was received and acknowledged. The Ministry are not direct purchasers of fireclay and consumers are at liberty to purchase fireclay from any maker at any price less than the maximum price referred to. The question of the price to be paid for firebricks offered by this firm has been submitted to arbitration and is now the subject of an appeal by the firm.