§ Mr. JENKINSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the difficulties experienced by the steel trade in this country in obtaining sufficient supplies of scrap iron and scrap of other metals at reasonable prices; and whether he proposes to institute an inquiry into the best methods of organising the available supplies in this country so as to utilise, them to the best effect?
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSI am aware that complaints have been made in the sense1582W of the first part of the question, but I think that if the shortage is sufficiently serious to call for special arrangements, the negotiation of such arrangements should properly be conducted between the steel industry and the scrap merchants.
§ Mr. JENKINSasked the President of the Board of Trade what are the restrictions imposed by France on export of scrap iron and scrap of other metals; what quantity, if any, is allowed to be exported annually; whether this quantity is subject to variation; and whether any negotiations have taken place with the French Government with a view to an increase in the quantity?
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSThe exportation from France of scrap of non-ferrous metals is free from restriction. The export of iron and steel scrap is only permitted under licences which are granted up to specified total quantities for each country of destination during each quarter of the year. The quantities are fixed yearly by the French Government. I am not aware of the total amount allowed to be exported, but the allotment to this country during the last four years has been 30,000 metric tons per annum. The whole of this quantity has never been taken up, and there has, therefore, been no occasion to approach the French Government for an increase in the allotment.