Oral Answers to Questions — Iron and Steel Trade (Inquiry).

– in the House of Commons at on 11 March 1929.

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Photo of Mr Robert Dennison Mr Robert Dennison , Birmingham King's Norton

37.

asked the Prime Minister whether his communication to the Iron and Steel Trades Confederation on 8th February last represents a final decision of the Government on the request to institute an inquiry into the iron and steel industry or whether the matter is open to reconsideration?

Photo of Mr Stanley Baldwin Mr Stanley Baldwin , Bewdley

The views contained in my letter of 8th February represent the final decision of the Government.

Photo of Mr Robert Dennison Mr Robert Dennison , Birmingham King's Norton

Will the committee that it is proposed to set up following the General Election, if the Government are returned to power, inquire into, report, and make recommendations on, matters other than Safeguarding affecting iron and steel?

Photo of Mr Stanley Baldwin Mr Stanley Baldwin , Bewdley

If I understand the hon. Member aright, he is asking what kind of inquiry the Safeguarding Committee would give if the industry asked for such an inquiry, if the present Government returned to power. That all is rather problematical. It has always been the case that when a question regarding Safeguarding is under consideration all kinds of relevant matter have to be examined into.

Photo of Mr Robert Dennison Mr Robert Dennison , Birmingham King's Norton

In view of the statement made by the Prime Minister in his letter of 8th February, that if the Government are returned they propose setting up a different kind of committee to deal with the question of Safeguarding, will the new committee deal with questions other than Safeguarding, and in addition to Safeguarding?

Photo of Mr Stanley Baldwin Mr Stanley Baldwin , Bewdley

So far as my memory serves me, the changes that were adumbrated by the Minister who spoke were rather changes in the direction the hon. Member desires.

Photo of Captain William Benn Captain William Benn , Aberdeen North

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean that the new form of Safeguarding Committee is to be asked to make the wide sort of inquiry that was asked for by the Iron and Steel Trade Confederation?

Photo of Mr Stanley Baldwin Mr Stanley Baldwin , Bewdley

I am not at this moment going into any question of what the next Parliament may do.