Motor Companies (Imported Steel)

HC Deb 16 July 1964 vol 698 cc1403-5

20. Mr. M. Foot

asked the Minister of Power whether he will inquire into the volume of recent purchases of steel from foreign countries by British motor companies.

Mr. Peyton

The Iron and Steel Board has nearly completed its examination of steel imports and will be covering this. I expect to hear from it shortly.

Mr. Foot

Is the hon. Gentleman quite satisfied that purchases of steel from abroad made by British motor companies are not disadvantageous to the legitimate interests of the steel industry? When he receives this report from the Board will he give a guarantee that if it is reported that in fact purchases have been made because the ownership of some of these motor companies is in foreign countries, he will take immediate action to protect the legitimate interests of the steel industry in this country?

Mr. Peyton

I should like to see the report first.

Mr. W. Hamilton

Has the attention of the hon. Gentleman been drawn to a recent report in The Guardian that the Ford works at Dagenham admitted importing 20 per cent. of its sheet steel from the Continent because of the unsatisfactory quality of the steel from our own industry? Is this evidence of a highly efficient and highly competitive British steel industry?

Mr. Peyton

I have no reason to think that British sheet steel is inferior. In point of fact, the standard of this product from both of the new mills at Llanwern and Ravenscraig is first-class. I should very much regret any suggestion going from this House that our material is inferior.

Mr. Foot

I am grateful to the Minister for his tribute to the steel produced in the nationalised steelworks at Llanwern. In view of the report to which my hon. Friend referred, may I ask whether the hon. Gentleman's Ministry has made full inquiries, because many of us believe it may be that purchases made by the Ford Company are not due to any inferiority of British steel but to the fact that the ownership of some of these motor companies resides in foreign countries, a fact about which the Government appear to be completely careless?

Mr. Peyton

That is a matter for which I have no responsibility. Nor do I accept the innuendo behind what the hon. Gentleman has said. I have told him already that this, among other matters, is being covered by the Iron and Steel Board in its present inquiry of which I am awaiting the result.

Mr. Foot

When will the result be available?

Mr. Peyton

I have told the hon. Gentleman—shortly.