§ Mr. Ray Powellasked the Secretary of State for Industry, in view of the fact that the cost of energy accounts for about a quarter of the cost of making liquid steel, and that the steel industries in Great Britain have to pay significantly more for energy than steel makers anywhere in Europe, what action he proposes to take to enable steel industries in Great Britain to compete on equal terms with steel makers in Europe.
§ Mr. TebbitAn energy task force has been set up by the National Economic Development Council with the objective of agreeing a common view on disparities in the price of energy to industrial customers in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. Its investigations will include the iron and steel sector and the task force will report back to the NEDC in March.
All EC member States have endorsed the principle of economic energy pricing. Where evidence is available to show that energy prices are being subsidised, the Government will make firm representations to the European Commission.