HC Deb 15 November 1966 vol 736 cc201-3
3. Mr. J. H. Osborn

asked the Minister of Power what estimates he has made of the value of the increase in imports of bulk steel when the 10 per cent. import surcharge is removed on 30th November, 1966; and what steps he is taking, in view of a world excess manufacturing capacity for steel, to ensure that steel is not dumped in this country.

Mr. Marsh

The present growth of imports may be accentuated, but it is not possible to estimate the precise effect of the removal of the surcharge. The industry is aware of the circumstances in which applications for anti-dumping action can be made.

Mr. Osborn

Can the Minister state what has been the increase in the last two months, what discussions he had with Commonwealth countries, which have cheap raw materials and cheap energy, how much of this increase is coming from Iron Curtain countries, and whether he is aware that the European steelmakers envy our structure and would possibly like to see it punctured?

Mr. Marsh

If the hon. Member says that the Europeans envy our structure, I presume that he means the E.C.S.C. pricing structure.

Mr. Osborn

I mean the Iron and Steel Board pricing structure.

Mr. Marsh

That is the point I am making. There was pressure earlier for an E.C.S.C. type of pricing structure, but this has now gone. People throughout the world have problems in this industry. I could not without notice give the figures for which the hon. Member asks, but I am in close contact with the industry on this subject to see what can be done.

Mr. Wainwright

Will my right hon. Friend carefully consider the question of any imports of steel into this country? Will he also consider why these imports are coming in and what our steel industry is doing to prevent the necessity for them?

Mr. Marsh

This has to be looked at as a world problem, and it is a very serious one. It is at the moment a problem of excess capacity throughout the entire world, and sooner or later, I think, all the different steel industries must reach a method of agreement in this field.

Mr. Barber

In the light of the question by his hon. Friend the Member for Dearne Valley (Mr. Wainwright), is the Minister aware that the increase in steel imports is not the consequence of any shortcomings of the British iron and steel industry, but is, as the right hon. Gentleman has rightly said, a world problem? Is he further aware that this is a matter of great concern to the industry? Will he give an assurance that if action is called for to deal with the increasing imports, it will be taken speedily?

Mr. Marsh

I am certainly in very close contact with the industry on this subject and obviously have had, and am having, discussions with it. Wherever the blame lay in the past, one can only hope that the new procedures which we are adopting with the right hon. Gentleman's assistance in Standing Committee D will obviate these imports in the future.

Mr. O'Malley

Since the imports of steel products are already running at a high level in a period of short-time working and falling order books in the home steel industry, will my right hon. Friend say why the Government have refused to put on selective import quotas? If they are not prepared to do that, what are they prepared to do?

Mr. Marsh

The whole question of selective import quotas is a thorny one. We might be faced with problems in return. Certainly the Government will do anything which they feel to be of value in this field.