§ 9. Mr. Blakerasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding the reclamation industry.
§ Mr. RidleyWe recognise the important part which the reclamation industry has to play in recovering raw materials for industry. Our aim is to create conditions which will help this and other industries to operate competitively and efficiently.
§ Mr. BlakerIs my hon. Friend aware that that statement will be welcome to the industry? Is he aware also that, in addition to helping in the battle against pollution, the industry saves £1,000 million a year in imports? Will my hon. Friend confirm that the new Government's policy is to cease the discrimination against the industry which the former Government practised?
§ Mr. RidleyI agree with what my hon. Friend says and I can assure him that we have moved some way already, by the changes in investment incentives, towards abolishing discrimination. There will be further progress in the matter of the selective employment tax when my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gets round to dealing with that, too.
§ Mr. DarlingWhen do the Government intend to remove the controls on the export of steel work scrap and thus provide a free market for the scrap producers?
§ Mr. RidleyThis matter is being studied at present.