§ 5. Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the outcome of his recent official discussions with the Deputy Chairman of the British Steel Corporation; what definite plans he has for a future meeting; and if he will make a statement.
§ 15. Mr. Colemanasked the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with representatives of the British Steel Corporation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI met the Deputy Chairman of the British Steel Corporation recently in order to review the situation in the steel industry in Wales. I expect to have further meetings from time to time as necessary.
§ Mr. HughesWill the Secretary of State appreciate that the steel industry is the key to future Welsh prosperity and that it is necessary to remove the threat of hiving off and to restore confidence, that it is not sufficient to make a spectacular announcement in the Welsh Grand Committee about the Spencer Works but essential to authorise the whole of the investment programme of the Steel Corporaiion—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. This is the kind of supplementary question which I was asked to discourage. Will the hon. Gentleman ask a question and be brief, please?
§ Mr. HughesWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman urge the Cabinet to authorise the whole of the investment programme of the Steel Corporation if this vital industy is to have any future?
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI do not think I could add anything to what was said by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in the House on 27th April.
§ Mr. ColemanWhen does the Secretary of State intend to have discussions with the representatives of the six trade unions involved in the steel industry in Wales so that he may discuss with them the outcome of any closures which may take place, and the social consequences arising therefrom?
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI have not as yet received an invitation from the six trade unions the hon. Gentleman mentioned, but I had a discussion with the South Wales Advisory Committee of the T.U.C. on Friday.
§ Mr. Michael FootDoes the right hon. and learned Friend appreciate that we warmly welcome the announcement which he was able to make about Llanwern, particularly because the Labour Government were able to reach the same decision more than 12 months ago? Will he now say whether he thinks it is a proper cause that he intends to follow in future when every individual investment plan of the Corporation is to be subjected to investigation by his Department?
§ Mr. Peter ThomasCertainly not. The hon. Gentleman knows full well that the reason for the deferment was the announcement by the British Steel Corporation about its financial difficulties.