HC Deb 25 November 1946 vol 430 cc217-8W
124. Major Legge-Bourke

asked the Minister of Works why he will not allow previous owners of railings which were impounded during the war to repurchase them in cases where they have been identified; why these have to be melted down; and what is the cost per ton of so doing.

Mr. Tomlinson

The campaign for scrap metal was based on equal treatment all round and no arrangements were made which would now enable claims for ownership of particular items to be established. The scrap will be used according to the demands of the industry on the various classes of scrap available for the furnaces. It is not possible to separate the cost of melting scrap as it is used with other material.