§ Mr. Adam Butlerasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the current average price for steel scrap compared with six and 12 months ago; to what extent steel production is being affected by the current shortage of scrap; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EmeryThe current average price for purchased steelmaking scrap is £13.65 per tonne. It was the same price six months ago and £12.47 per tonne 12 months ago. I am in touch with the steelmakers and the scrap trade and have received assurances that steelworks are being kept adequately supplied to maintain production.
§ Mr. Adam Butlerasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of steel scrap produced in the United Kingdom, and what weight, is currently being exported; how much scrap is being imported; and what are the average prices for these imports and exports.
§ Sir G. HoweOnly the poorer qualities of ferrous scrap may currently be exported: exports in January 1973 amounted to 56,245 tonnes at an average price of £15.7 per tonne. This tonnage represents about 6 per cent. of iron and steel scrap arising outside the iron and steel industry itself, and corresponds to about 3 per cent. of scrap consumption. Imports of ferrous scrap this year so far have been negligible.