§ 1. Mr. Ridleyasked the Minister of Power what discussions he has had in the Council of Association with the European Coal and Steel Community about his proposals for nationalising the United Kingdom steel industry.
§ The Minister of Power (Mr. Richard Marsh)There have been no discussions in the Council of Association, but informal talks have taken place with officials of the High Authority.
§ Mr. RidleyIs it not quite extraordinary, as it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to join the Common Market, that they should take a major step like this without holding formal discussions as to its effect? Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that this will have profound repercussions because the pricing structure and investment policy of the Bill conflict with the Treaty of Paris?
§ Mr. MarshAs I just told the hon. Gentleman, discussions have taken place with officials of the High Authority. We have no reason to suppose that the nationalisation of the iron and steel industry will produce such difficulties.
§ Mr. O'MalleyIs it not true that the proposals of the Federation regarding the reorganisation of the steel industry run directly contrary to the principles of the Treaties of Paris and Rome? Will he say whether there have been any discussions by the Federation or anyone else about this problem?
§ Mr. MarshI do not know what the Federation has done. It is certainly true 223 that the only alternatives suggested to nationalisation involved a strengthened supervisory authority which would certainly conflict with the supervisory powers of the High Authority.
§ 2. Mr. Ridleyasked the Minister of Power what study he has made of the improvements in the arrangements for resettlement and retraining of mine-workers which would result from Great Britain's joining the European Coal and Steel Community.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Power (Dr. Jeremy Bray)The Government and the National Coal Board keep closely in touch with the practice of the European Coal and Steel Community in handling resettlement and retraining of miners. Improvements in the United Kingdom have been made by the Government and the National Coal Board and are not being delayed until it is decided whether we join the European Coal and Steel Community.
§ Mr. RidleyWould the hon. Gentleman not agree that these arrangements are better than those which we provide in this country? Would he, therefore, not agree that this is a very good reason for us pressing forward with our negotiations with the Common Market?
§ Dr. BrayIt is genuinely difficult to compare the arrangements because of the differing circumstances in which they operate—different local conditions, social security benefits, local employment provisions, the composition of the labour force, the prospects of alternative employment, and so on. We are satisfied that the improvements made in this country are adequate to the problem.