asked the Minister of Supply why the steel plant at Ebbw Vale is working short time at the present time when the greatest possible production is needed?

I am advised that, subject to normal fluctuations arising from internal causes, the blast furnace and steel furnaces at Ebbw Vale are working at full capacity. The rolling mills are fully employed within the limits of the supplies of steel which can be made available.

Is the Minister fully satisfied that the short time being worked by the rolling mills has no connection with the unfortunate management of the company?

Yes, Sir; I am absolutely satisfied on that.

In view of the fact that allegations have been made recently about the management of this firm, would the Minister ask the committee on waste and expenditure to call for inquiries to be made?

That must be a matter for the committee.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the need to promote the utmost productive effort of the steel industry during the present crisis, he will take steps to substitute the control of the Government for the control now exercised over the industry by the banks?

I do not accept the implications of the hon. Member's Question. The control now exercised by my Department over the iron and steel industry is, in my view, sufficient to ensure that the fullest possible use is made of the productive capacity of the industry.

Is the Minister responsible for the fact that the management of Richard Thomas and Company is being shared at present by a person who is also managing director of a rival concern? Is that a good way of promoting economic efficiency in the steel trade?

I am not responsible for the management of Richard Thomas's undertaking. I am responsible, through the Iron and Steel Control, for seeing that the productive capacity of those works is used to the best possible advantage.

Is it not a fact that the managing director of Richard Thomas and Company is appointed by the Governor of the Bank of England, and that he is not a person who ought to be in charge of several concerns at the same time, especially as one of them has the largest and most up-to-date plant in the country?

I am not interested in the management of this firm. What I am interested in is that there shall be efficient output from its works. I am quite satisfied that the Iron and Steel Control, which is one of the controls of the Ministry of Supply, is attaining the most effective output from these works.

In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Minister of Supply what steps have been taken up to date to discourage the unnecessary use of paper in retail shops; and whether he will consider the desirability of distributing notices which can be put up in every retail store urging the public not to insist on the unnecessary wrapping of goods which are already in containers or packages?

Under the Control of Paper Orders Nos. 8 and 11 of 8th February and 12th April, the amount of paper which can be delivered by producers of paper to their customers is severely limited. The Press has on several occasions called attention to the desirability of avoiding unnecessary wrapping and of using the shopping basket, and the Paper Controller has recently communicated with associations of retail traders to enlist their assistance in securing further economy in the use of wrapping papers. The suggestion of the hon. and gallant Member is being considered, in connection with other measures which have been proposed to secure economy in the use of wrapping and other papers.

Would the Minister also consider limiting the issue by retail firms of big catalogues containing a great deal of paper, and would he make a regulation or recommendation on the matter?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Supply whether his Department are in possession of the details of construction used by the Swedish Government in producing their pre-fabricated building parts for army hutments, and which can be erected in three hours by six to eight men with built-in beds, cupboards, tables, chairs, etc., for 24 men?

It is understood that pre-fabricated parts are used in Sweden for hutments for holiday camping, but my Department is not aware that they are used for army hutments. In any case, I am taking steps to secure drawings and details of construction of the huts.

asked the Minister of Supply whether it is his intention to substitute orders under the Defence of the Realm Act for the recommendations he has hitherto made to local authorities in relation to the salvage of waste?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given on 13th March to the hon. Member for Consett (Mr. David Adams), on 21st March to the hon. Member for the English Universities (Miss Rathbone), and on 1st May to the hon. Member for Bristol, West (Mr. Culverwell). Since March, there has been a substantial increase in the number of local authorities who have organised salvage work and also in the efficiency of their operations. In view of this, it is not proposed at present to make Orders under the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act to enforce my recommendations, but this step is being kept in view by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health and myself in case further experience should make it necessary or desirable.

Would it be of advantage if I and other people, who have a number of old books to get rid of, handed them over to the local authorities?

Yes, Sir. The repulping of libraries which are no longer required, would be a useful contribution.

Has the Minister any evidence that any local authority is deliberately refusing to reclaim salvage?

"Deliberately refusing" is a strong term, but some are not doing all that they might.

Is the Minister aware that some who are reclaiming salvage cannot get rid of it?

asked the Minister of Supply whether he can make a statement on the progress of the collection of scrap metals in response to the appeals which have recently been made?

The collection of scrap metals is being organised through the salvage schemes of the local authorities and by special campaigns conducted by the Iron and Steel Control. The progress of the local authorities' schemes is shown by their monthly returns. The collection of ferrous scrap rose from 4,800 tons in January to 8,900 tons in March, and of non-ferrous scrap from 532 tons in January to 709 tons in March. It is expected that, with the additional schemes recently launched, the amounts collected will again be increased substantially.

The campaigns of the Iron and Steel Control cover both industrial works and rural areas. An appeal to factories and mills, stimulated by personal visits, has produced nearly 100,000 tons of scrap iron and steel, apart from the quantity sold in the ordinary course. In co-operation with the National Farmers' Union and the Central Landowners' Association, a survey is being made, county by county, of scrap iron on farms and landed estates, with a view to organising the collections in the most economical way. Inquiries have been addressed to 25,000 farmers and landowners, and the collection has already taken place in Worcestershire. Other counties will be taken in turn. A scheme is being prepared in conjunction with the Red Cross Agricultural Committee for organising village dumps for scrap iron, and it is hoped to launch it shortly. Some quantities of old railings have been obtained, and an exhibition, which is being opened this week, will show the advantages to be obtained by scrapping iron railings in favour of other materials.

Would my right hon. Friend consider encouraging local authorities to organise "scrap iron weeks" in their areas?

Is the Minister aware that while railings are being pulled down in some parts, they are being erected in other parts. Will he see that no one is allowed to put up railings?

Will the Minister see that railings at pedestrian crossings are scrapped?

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that there is dissatisfaction among hosiery manufacturers in Scotland in respect that the ration of 65 per cent. of yarn supplies, based on the consumption of 1938–39, is inadequate; that in several cases supplies are exhausted, and that, though the next rationing period commences on 1st July, deliveries will not be made till about the end of that month; and what provision he proposes to make to avoid unemployment in the industry during the interval between now and the end of July?

A restriction of the amount of wool, as of other materials, made available for civil consumption is in the present circumstances unavoidable, and it is for the manufacturers to distribute the use of their ration of yarn over the rationing period in the most convenient way. As regards the opening weeks of the next rationing period, it is open to them to enter into provisional arrangements with their spinners to ensure the prompt delivery of supplies.

When the rationing schemes are compulsory, will registration be compulsory; and, if not, will those who refuse to register be allowed only the amount of the ration, or will they be allowed to have additional supplies?

No one will be allowed more than the amount of the ration.

Is my right hon. Friend quite satisfied that the system is working efficiently and satisfactorily?

I am very satisfied with the work of the Wool Control.

asked the Minister of Supply whether the establishment of the area organisation is now complete?

The establishment of the Area Organisation, as originally envisaged, is now complete. Representative members on the 12 Area Boards have been nominated by the Admiralty, Air Ministry, Ministry of Supply and Ministry of Labour and National Service, and the secretaries have taken up their duties. The employer and trades union members of the 23Area Advisory Committees have also been appointed and the necessary arrangements have been made for headquarters administration in the Ministry of Supply.

Further, with a view to the interests of the export trade being considered at the same time as Service needs, it has now been agreed that a representative of the Board of Trade shall be added to each of the Area Boards. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, is proceeding to make the necessary appointments, some of which have already been made.

Can my right hon. Friend give an assurance to the House that all manufacturers and others will have their applications considered properly?

Yes, Sir. It is exactly what I hope will result from the area organisations. When hon. Members have applications made to them seeming to show that the capacity is available for the national effort they should refer them to the area committee in their neighbourhood.

Is it the intention of the right hon. Gentleman to publish a list of these area committees?

Yes, Sir, I think that has been done already, but if there is any need to do it again, I will do it through the Official Report.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the great shortage of paper, and the consequent severe rationing imposed on newspapers and the general public, he will refuse to supply paper to Communist and other anti-war organisations who publish pamphlets and news-sheets opposing the nation's war effort?

The permitting or prevention of such publications as are referred to is not a matter for my Department.

If a paper is issued without an imprint upon it, would that be a matter for the right hon. Gentleman's Department?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say who is responsible?

I do not think that is a question for me to answer either.

Has my right hon. Friend any authority or responsibility?