asked the Paymaster-General if he will give the latest available national figures for the output of the iron and steel industry as a proportion of total capacity.

In the three weeks ending 24th January, the output of crude steel and pig iron were about 76 per cent. and 73 per cent. of capacity, respectively.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it is a great pity that so much of our valuable industrial capacity should not be in use, and what action the Government are taking about it?

The action which the Government are taking is, and has been for some while, to step up the general level of demand in the country, and the level of demand on the steel industry must be determined by that.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman when we may expect some results from the Government's policy, since they are so proud of it?

I think they are already to be seen, and that if the right hon. Gentleman did not concentrate all the time on every occasion on gloom, he would see them.

asked the Paymaster-General if he will state the latest available figures for the output of steel ingots and pig iron in the north-eastern area; and what proportion of total capacity for that area this output represented.

In the three weeks ending 24th January, the output of crude steel in the north-eastern area was at a weekly rate of 61,700 tons, and the output of pig iron at a weekly rate of 47,500 tons. These were, respectively, 64 per cent. and 68 per cent. of capacity.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the last few years the iron and steel industry has been returned in part to so-called private enterprise, that the steel trade unions have co-operated to the full with the management, and that the result is unemployment and short-time working in my steel Constituency?

The hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well that that is a non sequitur. Short-time working results from a lack of demand for steel.

asked the Paymaster-General in view of the recession in the iron and steel industry, what recommendations the Iron and Steel Board have made to him recently to increase output and hence reduce unemployment and short-time working in the industry.

My noble Friend keeps in close touch with the Iron and Steel Board about all current problems of the industry, but this must be on a confidential basis if it is to be fully effective.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the Iron and Steel Board was created specifically for this purpose to look after the national and social considerations in relation to the iron and steel industry and, if the Board does not act now, when should it act?

Without accepting the hon. Member's exact description of the purpose of the Iron and Steel Board, it is in constant contact with my noble Friend about the action to be taken. I think it would destroy the value of these contacts if they were disclosed in public.

Is it not the case that this Government, and the steel industry, in their political spending of their shareholders' money, boast of the fact that this is a public board supervising the industry, and if that is so, why should we not be in possession of the Board's recommendations to the Minister, and why should the observations and representations to the industry be kept secret? Surely. Parliament, which authorised its establishment, is entitled to know what its views and recommendations are?

The reasons are precisely the same as have always held good in the case of the nationalised industries.