§ 77. Mr. Osborneasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that pig-iron suppliers controlled by the Iron and Steel Board are charging rail transport to small firms of ironfounders who were obliged to collect their own supplies by lorry during the recent rail strike, but are not making this charge to large firms of ironfounders; and, in view of the harm done to the national interest through this discrimination against small firms, whether he will give a direction under Section 10 of the Iron and Steel Act, 1953, to cancel this charge.
§ Mr. LowPrices for pig-iron determined by the Iron and Steel Board are maximum prices varying between zones in which delivery takes place. My right hon. Friend would certainly not wish to intervene to prevent producers and consumers negotiating prices below these maximum prices in the ordinary course of business; nor is he aware of any circumstances arising out of the conditions brought about by the rail strike which would justify him in giving a direction under Section 10 of the Iron and Steel Act, 1953.