§ 42. Mr. Kimballasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the continuing shortage of iron and mild steel for rural craftsmen, particularly in Lincolnshire; and what further steps he 22W will take to overcome this shortage and to see that repairs to agricultural machinery are not held up.
§ 43. Sir F. Medlicottasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that there is still a noticeable shortage of iron and mill steel in small sizes for rural craftsmen, especially in East Anglia, which is causing delay in the repairing of agricultural machinery; and what steps are being taken to deal with this situation.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftThe production of small sizes of iron and steel has increased in the last six months. However, rural craftsmen are this year using 10 per cent. more steel than last year and there may still be shortages in some rural areas. I understand that the Iron and Steel Board has recently had discussions about the relief of their problems with these craftsmen's representatives.