§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) what steps he proposes to take with a view to easing the prob-
254WCorporation will compare with those in other EEC States when the increases announced in the Budget have been incorporated.
§ Mr. MeacherThe following table provided by the British Steel Corporation compares published home trade prices in other countries of the European Communities with British Steel Corporation prices on 28th March 1974, after the increases announced in the Budget. It does not cover prices charged by United Kingdom private sector steel producers:
lems arising from the continuing shortage of scrap for the steel industry;
(2) what is the latest position regarding the supply of scrap to the steel industry.
§ Mr. MeacherPrivate sector steelmakers have generally adequate stocks but the British Steel Corporation's stocks of scrap are low and this temporarily affected steel production at its electric steelmaking plant in Sheffield recently. The corporation is improving the distribution of scrap amongst its plants and is increasing the proportion of new iron in steelmaking in place of scrap. I am also advised that scrap supplies to steelworks should recover to normal levels now that industry has returned to full time working. Exports of scrap are already restricted by licensing to comparatively small tonnages of the grades which British steelmakers find difficult to use. I am further reducing the quota for exports for the quarter beginning 1st April 1974.