§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Technology whether, in view of the increased shortage of mild steel reinforcing rods, causing manufacturers and builders to import this at a cost to the balance of payments, he will issue a direction to the British Steel Corporation to step up production of this type of steel.
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Mr. Alan WilliamsNo. The British Steel Corporation has increased its production of mild steel re-inforcing rods by 50 per cent. in order to alleviate the shortage of home produced material. The upsurge in demand on the B.S.C. has been influenced by changes in the relative prices of imported and home supplies and the general level of demand for steel in the world market.