§ 49. Mr. O'Malleyasked the Minister of Power if he will discuss with the European Coal and Steel Community, through the machinery of the Council of Association, the harmonisation of iron and steel statistics, with a view to facilitating international comparisons.
§ Mr. ErrollThere is already consultation on this subject through the machinery of the Council of Association as well as through other international bodies.
§ 50. Mr. J. Morrisasked the Minister of Power whether he is satisfied with the direct net contribution of the iron and steel industry to the balance of payments; whether he will ask the Iron and Steel Board to investigate the reasons why much of the United Kingdom ferro-alloy requirements is imported; and to what extent the iron and steel industry could, without additional tariffs, increase United Kingdom production as a means of saving imports.
§ Mr. ErrollThe steel industry has made a welcome direct net contribution to the balance of payments in recent years. A substantial proportion of the ferro-alloys used by the steel industry is produced in this country, most of the remainder is imported from the Commonwealth and the European Free 111W Trade Area. I am advised that, without substantial tariff protection, increased home production would be unlikely to displace imports to any significant extent.
§ Mr. J. Morrisasked the Minister of Power, in view of the fact that un-economic and inefficient plant is being maintained in production by the pricing practices of the Iron and Steel Board, whether he will, in the national interest, direct the Board to revise these practices in order to promote the efficient and economic supply of iron and steel products.
§ Mr. ErrollI would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave him yesterday.