10 APRIL 1971, Page 36

Steel stockholdings

There has been some silly talk that the British Steel Corporation should buy up steel stockholding firms so that they will pre- empt, so the .argument goes, the selling efforts of nsc's overseas rivals.

A steel stockholding is one of the easiest businesses to start. A few warehouses fitted with handling equipment. guillotines, cut-off lines, and flame-cutting equipment are all that is needed. A few workers and the posting off of a weekly stock list makes the business. However many stockholding com- panies Lord Melchett buys others will be started within weeks.