§ 4. Mr. Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give a general direction to the British Steel Corporation to take full advantage of the opportunities presented to them by the development of North Sea oil.
§ The Minister for Industry (Mr. Tom Boardman)No, Sir, the British Steel Corporation is well aware of the opportunities afforded by this development.
§ Mr. EwingIs the hon. Gentleman aware that that is the type of complacent answer which we have come to expect from his Department? Is he further aware that of the platform steel required for developing North Sea oil, the British Steel Corporation is supplying only 40 per cent. and that 60 per cent. is coming from Europe? The British Steel Corporation pleads that it cannot meet the delivery dates and that the schedules are far too tight. Yet the European firms can meet them. Will the hon. Gentleman inquire into this?
§ Mr. BoardmanI think the hon. Gentleman does less than justice to the British Steel Corporation. In the face of very fierce international competition it has secured some large orders—for example, the BP overland pipeline, amounting to £5.5 million. I see no reason why the Corporation should not gain further orders.
§ 6. Mr. Goldingasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is yet able to make an announcement on future investment in the steel industry.
§ 27. Mr. Duffyasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is now able to make a statement on the second report of the Joint Steering Group of the Steel Industry.
§ 39. Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now make a statement on future investment in the steel industry.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanI would ask the hon. Members to await the statement at the end of Questions.