§ Mr. Kennedyasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there is a serious shortage of steel required by local authorities for building and other public purposes; that the shortage is due to instructions given to producers to give preference in the matter of supply to Government orders, direct and indirect; that this policy is affecting the work of local authorities and aggravating the problem of unemployment; and if he can indicate any prospect of an early relaxation of the present instructions?
§ Captain WallaceIn July last, the British Iron and Steel Federation set up1144W a special committee which, in collaboration with the Departments concerned, arranges for the necessary supplies of steel to be made available for the Defence programme. There has been some shortage of supplies of structural steel for other purposes, but every effort is being made to satisfy the demand of consumers with the minimum delay.