§ 34. Mr. Emeryasked the Minister of Technology if he will give a general direction to the British Steel Corporation to renegotiate the terms of the new conditions of contract for home sales recently constituted by the Corporation with the private and nationalised industries concerned in the light of the representations he has received on the subject; and whether he will make a statement.
Mr. Alan WilliamsNo, Sir. This is a matter within the British Steel Corporation's own management responsibility, subject to consultations with the Iron and Steel Consumers' Council which, I understand, are nearing completion.
§ Mr. EmeryWill the Minister say, first, whether the nationalised industries have approached him about the way they feel that these terms of contracts are wrong? Secondly, did he consider that it was consultation for the British Steel Corporation to notify the Iron and Steel Consumers' Council and publish the terms before there was any discussion? Surely, that is the action of a massive mono-politic monster which was bound to bring bad will to customers.
Mr. WilliamsI am at a loss to understand the hon. Member's concern on the last point since, to the best of my knowledge, as was pointed out to him in a letter, the consultative council was told two months before publication—
Mr. WilliamsIt was open to the council to make representations and it was told two months in advance. I can legitimately ask the hon. Member what could be more reasonable than that.
§ Mr. SpeakerMr. Emery, Question No. 35.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. Question No. 35.