Mr. ACLANDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the British Steel Federation have yet succeeded in reaching a more stable basis with the suppliers of raw materials and submitted a comprehensive presentation of the proper relation between the prices of the main iron and steel products, as recommended by the letter of the Import Duties Advisory Committee on 9th April; and will be publish the relevant documents?
§ Mr. HOLDSWORTHasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps have the British Iron and Steel Federation taken since the writing of the letter of the 14th February by the Import Duties Advisory Committee towards the reduction of transport and handling charges and the securing of the greatest possible advantages from the integration and association of plants?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe matters referred to in these questions fall within the subject-matter of the inquiry which, as was announced in Debate on 15th July last, the Import Duties Advisory Committee888W are making into the present position and future development of the iron and steel industry. No doubt the committee will deal with them in their report.
§ Mr. HOLDSWORTHasked the President of the Board of Trade whether and, if so, what movements have taken place this year in the prices of pig-iron, scrap iron, coke, and other materials whose price is a factor in determining the cost of production of steel?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe average prices of these materials in October, 1936, as compared with December, 1935, show increases of about 9 per cent. for pig-iron, 8 per cent. for ferro-manganese, 7 per cent. for steel scrap, and 17 per cent. for furnace coke.