§ Mr. Parkerasked the Minister of Supply what recent increases in iron and steel prices have been authorised by the steel control; how far these are due to increases in costs, and whether he is aware that the fact that the control is so largely in the hands of the steel industry gives rise to considerable public disquiet?
§ Mr. Harold MacmillanThe Control of Iron and Steel (No. 10) Order, which came into force on 1st July last and was made by my right hon. Friend and not by the Iron and Steel Control, authorised certain increases in iron and steel prices representing additions of from 3s. 6d. to 9s. per ton for pig iron, 22s. 6d. to 27s. 6d. for soft basic billets, and corresponding adjustments for other products. These increases, which are based on audited costs, are chiefly to meet from a central fund the abnormal costs on imported materials, including imported steel, but they also make for the first time some allowance for the increases in internal manufacturing costs since the outbreak of war, such as the rise in scrap prices and railway rates.