HC Deb 30 May 1938 vol 336 cc1666-9W
Mr. Acland

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the average value of the main Continental imports of foundry iron and of basic iron during each of the years since 1929; and what has been the average Home price of the comparable commodities in the same period?

Mr. Cross:

No strict comparison can be made between the average value of im

The following statement shows the average values of imports into the United Kingdom of the undermentioned descriptions of pig iron from Continental(a) countries in each year from 1929 to 1937:
Year. Foundry. (b) Forge and Foundry.(b) Basic.
£ per ton.
1929 … … … 4.41 — 3.69
1930 … … … 3.73 — 3.50
1931 … … … 3.47 — 2.77
1932 … … … 4.15 — 2.53
1933 … … … 5.42 — 5.03
1934 … … … — 3.05 (c)
1935 … … … — (c) (c)
1936 … … … — 2.83 2.42
1937 … … … — 5.63 5.44
(a) For some of the years the figures on which the average values are based may include a small proportion of imports from foreign countries other than Continental.
(b) These values are not comparable, owing to the inclusion in the earlier years of a considerable amount of pig iron smelted wholly with charcoal and vanadium—tinanium pig iron produced in an electric furnace.
(c) Imports nil or insignificant in these years.

The following statement shows the average price in each year from 1929 to 1937 so far as the information is available of certain descriptions of foundry pig iron and of basic pig iron:
Year. Foundry Pig Iron. N.E. Coast Basic Pig Iron(d/d local zones) (c).
Cleveland No. 3 G.M.B. (a). Derbyshire No. 3 (delivered) (a). Northants No. 3 (delivered) (a). Scottish No. 3 f. o. t. (b).
£per ton.
1929 … … 3.52 3.72 3.55 3.70 —
1930 … … 3.35 3.79 3.62 3.86 —
1931 … … 2.93 3.39 3.21 3.59 —
1932 … … 2.93 3.30 3.13 3.45 —
1933 … … 3.13(d) 3.30 3.13 3.26 2.94
1934 … … 3.34 3.52 3.34 .347 3.30
1935 … … 3.39 3.59 3.42 3.53 3.45
1936 … … 3.65 3.90 3.78 3.92 3.68
1937 … … 4.59 4.84 4.72 5.27 4.71
(a) Based on quotations recorded in the "Iron and Coal Trades Review."
(b) Based on quotations recorded in the "Foundry Trades Journal."
(c) From June, 2937, prices are the official Association basis prices as at the end of each month; prior to that date prices have been extracted from the "Iron and Coal Trades Review" for the last week in each month. They are given as showing the trend of prices and not as representing prices at which transactions actually took place. Where a range has been given the average has been taken.
(d) Prior to 1933 the price quoted is f. o. t.; from 1933 onwards, delivered, Middlesbrough.

Mr. Acland

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the principal raw materials required for the manufacture of foundry iron or basic iron; and

ported pig iron and the price of pig iron produced in this country, but, following are statements showing such of the desired information as is readily available.

whether he will publish a table showing their principal price movements since 1929?

Mr. Cross:

The principal raw materials required for the manufacture of pig iron, whether foundry or basic, are iron ore, limestone, and coke. With the hon. Member's permission I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible a table showing the principal price movements of these materials since 1929.