§ Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Minister of Supply if he is aware of the shortages of steel in the motorcar industry; and if he has any statement to make upon the position of steel supplies.
§ Mr. G. R. StraussYes. I indicated to the House on 7th February last that, owing to raw material difficulties, steel production was likely to fall in 1951. I propose to make a full statement shortly about raw material supplies for steel making, which are appreciably below requirements. Intense efforts to collect home scrap will be necessary to minimise the reduction in steel output.
113WBecause of the defence programme and the need to maintain essential production, it will not be possible to satisfy all demands for steel. The Government have, therefore, decided to reduce exports of steel and also to restrict deliveries to the home market. Licensing control will be extended to exports of semi-finished steel, pig iron and alloy steel as from 16th April, and all other types of steel as from 14th May. Deliveries of steel to the home market will generally be somewhat less than last year although, of course, there will be exceptions.
The Government are examining possible arrangements for controlling the distribution of steel in the home market,
114W
Country Surface postage for a 20 grammes (or 1 oz.) letter Air Mail Letter Rates Rate from the U.K. Sterling equivalent to the U.K. Rate from the U.K. Sterling equivalent to the U.K. (Pence) (Pence) Belgium 4 6.7 There is no air mail rate of postage. Letters prepaid at the surface rate of postage are conveyed by air from the U.K. to these countries whenever acceleration in delivery would be secured thereby. There is no air mail rate of postage. Letters prepaid at the surface rate of postage are conveyed by air to the U.K. Denmark 4 6.2 Holland 4 4.5 Sweden 4 5.0 Switzerland 4 7.8 France 4 6.1* Letters up to 20 grammes forwarded by air without extra charge. Italy 4 7.5 3.43d. per 5 grs. IN ADDITION TO SURFACE POSTAGE Norway 4 5.4 1.8d. per 20 grs. Finland 4 7.5 1.1d. per 5grs. Portugal 4 6.9 3.57d. per 20 grs. Turkey 4 6.1 6.09d. per 20 grs. Brazil 4 6.9 1s. 0d. per ½ oz. 2s. 2½d. per 10 grs. IN ADDITION TO SURFACE POSTAGE Chile 4 6.9 1s. 0d. per ½ oz 1s. 2d. per 5 grs. Egypt 2 4.2 6d. per ½ oz. 2½d. per 10 grs. U.S.A. 2½ 4.3 1s. 0d. per ½ oz. 1s. 1d. per ½ oz. Australia 2½ 2.4 1s. 3d. per ½ oz. 1s. 2½d per ½ oz. Canada 2½ 3.3 1s. 0d. per ½ oz. 1s. 0d. per ¼ oz. India 2½ 4.5 1s. 0d. per ½ oz. 1s. 1½d. per ½ oz. Pakistan 2½ 6.5 1s. 0d. per ½ oz. 1s. 7½d. per ½ oz. South Africa 2½ 2.0 1s. 0d. per ½ oz. 9d. per ½ oz. * The French Government have recently announced their intention to increase this rate by 20 per cent. in case this becomes necessary. Industry will be consulted before any detailed scheme is introduced.