§ Captain Cunningham-Reidasked the Minister of Supply why an overriding commission of from 1s. to is. 10d. for every ton of scrap-iron which passes through the furnaces of all British steel works is still being paid to four firms of scrap-exporters, in spite of the fact that this commission was originally paid, before the war, in return for a guarantee that these firms would cease the export of scrap to countries abroad and confine their deliveries to British steelworks only; and, as the export of scrap is now for bidden by Government order and the commission in question is therefore being paid for no consideration at all, will he arrange for the payment of it to cease?
§ Sir A. DuncanThe total levy on scrap delivered to steel furnaces is 1s. a ton, of which not more than half goes to the four 1817W firms referred to. The main purpose of the agreement is to organise the supply of scrap to steelmakers on a fair and equitable basis. The sums received by the scrap dealers are spent on services which are of benefit to production, and I see no reason for disturbing the arrangement.