Oral Answers to Questions — Trade and Commerce. – in the House of Commons at on 9 September 1941.
Mr Thomas Horabin
, Cornwall Northern
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the appointment of Cameron and Company to receive all particulars of United States of America steel required for the Colonies by their merchant competitors was occasioned by any failure of the National Export Merchants Group, formed at the specific request of the Board of Trade, to co-ordinate the merchants' export activities?
Sir Andrew Duncan
, City of London
No, Sir. As orders for steel from the United States must be placed through official channels, it has been arranged that Colonial orders should be placed through the British Iron and Steel Corporation, a non-profit earning company which purchases steel for the Ministry of Supply. Messrs. David Cameron, with the approval of the Colonial Office and the Board of Trade, were appointed by the Corporation to carry out the work of collating approved Colonial orders.
Mr Thomas Horabin
, Cornwall Northern
Was the National Export Merchants' Group consulted over this arrangement?
Sir Andrew Duncan
, City of London
No, Sir.
Mr Thomas Horabin
, Cornwall Northern
asked the President of the Board of Trade in what Statutory Order or other official publication the arrangements for American steel, required for the Colonies, were announced by his Department.
Sir Andrew Duncan
, City of London
The arrangements referred to were not announced in any Statutory Order or other official publication in this country. Firms have been informed of the procedure when their orders have been approved.
