§ 3. Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Minister of Power when he proposes to introduce into the House the Government's Bill to renationalise the steel industry.
§ Mr. Frederick LeeI have nothing to add to the statements made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 24th June and my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary on 6th July.
§ Mr. Bruce-GardyneCan the Minister tell us whether his recent statement that the Government intended to press ahead with the nationalisation of the steel industry was an expression of personal opinion? If not, what other members of the Government agree with the right hon. Gentleman in this approach?
§ Mr. RidleyIs the Minister aware that neither the Prime Minister on that occasion nor the Parliamentary Secretary on the other occasion gave a straight answer to the question? Can we now be told whether this obnoxious Measure to nationalise steel has been dropped or not?
§ Mr. LeeThe hon. Member has gone farther than his hon. Friend, who did not call it obnoxious. The straight answer is "No, it has not".
§ 6. Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Minister of Power what discussions he has had with representatives of the steel industries following Her Majesty's Government's offer to consider proposals for Government control of the industry involving less than 100 per cent. ownership; and with what results.
§ 13. Mr. Kenneth Lewisasked the Minister of Power how many meetings he has had with representatives of the steel industry since the publication of the White Paper; and what decisions he has reached arising out of such meetings.
§ Mr. Frederick LeeAs regards contacts with the British Iron and Steel Federation there is nothing to add to my Answer of 25th May to the hon. Member for The Wrekin (Mr. William Yates). I have, however, had discussions with certain companies about specific points arising out of the White Paper.
§ Mr. Bruce-GardyneCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether, as the Minister responsible for this matter, he was properly consulted before this offer was made, and also what he has done to draw the attention of the industry concerned to this offer?
§ Mr. LeeSince the offer there has been an exchange of letters between the President of the Federation and myself. We have not as yet reached unanimity about the kind of thing that we should like to discuss, and therefore no meetings have taken place.
§ Mr. LewisIs not that a disgraceful answer? The Minister may laugh, but it is not a laughing matter. A clear promise was made from the Government Front Bench that the right hon. Gentlemen would be prepared to listen but they have taken no initiative, as they should have done, to have meetings with 261 the industry. If, as the Minister says, he is going to nationalise the steel industry, it is clear that talks are necessary. If he is not going to nationalise it, he ought to keep faith with his own back benchers, on whose behalf the First Secretary made the promise.
§ Mr. LeeThe Federation and all the relevant firms are quite clear that when they wish to see me on any issue arising from steel nationalisation I am at their disposal. As the hon. Member would know if he had followed the debates that we have had on steel, I have had many meetings with the Federation, besides individual firms and trade unions. As far as I am concerned, I am still open to receive any representations from them.
§ Mr. David GriffithsIs my right hon. Friend aware that, apart from a lot of bunkum that has been spoken from the other side, I know one or two Members and owners in the steel industry who are quite satisfied with the principle and proposal that we intend to undertake?
§ Mr. LeeThere is a good deal of knowledge among steel people that this will be a very good thing both for the country and for themselves.
§ Sir Knox CunninghamWill the right hon. Gentleman approach his right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and find out whether he proposes to implement the promise that he made in this House about the Steel Bill earlier this year?
§ Mr. LeeI take it that the hon. Member is referring to the sessional point. As I believe my right hon. Friend said, this is a question of the length of the Session. It is a question that only the Leader of the House can answer, and I suggest that the hon. Member puts his Question to my right hon. Friend.
§ Mr. RidleyMy hon. Friend the Member for South Angus (Mr. Bruce-Gardyne) asked the Minister whether he was consulted before the First Secretary made his offer to listen to representations from the steel industry. Will he now answer that question?