asked the Minister of Supply how far, during the interim period, he accepts responsibility for steel allocations to consumers.

There is no Government allocation of steel, apart from steel sheets and tinplate.

But did not the British Iron and Steel Federation make allocations in the past? What has happened to the advisory system which I understand existed previously?

There was no allocation system operated by the Federation. There are at present in operation informal arrangements among certain suppliers of steel, but there is no formal arrangement in operation apart from sheet steel and tinplate.

Is my right hon. Friend considering the adoption of some measures which will enable those who really need the steel to get it before those who do not need it.