§ Mr. SITCHasked the Minister for Labour if he is aware of the increasing unemployment in the anchor, chain, and allied trades through scarcity of supplies of iron; that the resultant distress is aggravated by a belief prevalent among the workpeople that the said scarcity is due to the diversion of considerable quantities of the raw materials of those trades from home to foreign consumers, and whether he can take any steps to ensure the satisfaction of home requirements first, thereby diminishing unemployment among the workers concerned and reducing the attendant charges upon the national funds?
1882W
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANMy right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I am aware of the conditions as to employment in the trades mentioned and as to the shortage of iron, but as at present advised I have no reason to suppose this to be due to the cause which the hon. Member suggests. Every effort is being made to promote supplies for home requirements.