HC Deb 10 April 1972 vol 834 cc843-5
38. Mr. Edward Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has completed his consideration of the report of the joint steering group on steel industry investment; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Anthony Grant

My consideration is nearly complete, and I will make a statement very soon.

Mr. Taylor

In arriving at a decision, will my hon. Friend bear in mind the uncertainty in the Scottish steel industry about the future? Can my hon. Friend, at this stage, say whether a project for a greenfield site at Hunterston is included in the steering group's report and, if so, when the Government will announce a decision on that?

Mr. Grant

I am not in a position to add to my answer, but my hon. Friend will make a statement as soon as possible. As regards Hunterston, I can tell my hon. Friend that, contrary to recent speculation, the location of the next major steel development is not a closed issue.

Mr. Douglas

Will the hon. Gentleman accept that there is extreme disquiet in the Scottish steel industry about the location of research and development for particular divisions? Could the hon. Gentleman allay some of those fears by indicating quite clearly that for the foreseeable future, and, indeed, the far-distant future for that matter, there will be retained in Scotland capacity to make crude steel?

Mr. Grant

With respect, the hon. Gentleman must await the statement in due course by my hon. Friend.

Mr. Golding

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a great deal of disquiet in North Staffordshire over the possibility of the closure of some part of the Shelton iron and steel works? Will he ensure that when investment decisions are being made, all the social considerations are taken fully into account, and that the possibilities of providing alternative employment in areas dependent on such steel works are also fully considered?

Mr. Grant

I assure the hon. Gentleman that the regional, social and employment consequences of alternative strategies will be taken into account in reaching a decision.

Mr. Barry Jones

Does the hon. Gentleman fully appreciate the confusion and difficulty that has arisen in the steel-making communities because of the delay in the publication of the report? Can he assure the House that the Shotton steel works will continue into the late 'seventies and 'eighties to manufacture its own steel?

Mr. Grant

No, Sir, but what I can assure the hon. Gentleman and his hon. Friends is that they will not have to wait very much longer before the statement is made. These are complex matters, and consideration of them cannot be skimped.

Mr. Kaufman

In view of the impending redundancies at Irlham, will the hon. Gentleman assure us that his regional policies will include further incentives for the Greater Manchester Area, which will be further badly affected by the Irlham closure? Will he say that he is considering giving us a 10 per cent. plant and machinery grant?

Mr. Grant

What I can tell the hon. Gentleman is that Manchester will gain considerably from the Government's new regional policies. When I visited Manchester shortly before Easter, I found that the Government's new policies were extremely well received.