HC Deb 05 February 1973 vol 850 cc20-2
20. Mr. Michael Foot

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when his proposed task force for dealing with areas threatened with special redundancies will be making its first report; and whether the terms of reference for it will comprise investigation of the dates for proposed closures.

Mr. Peter Thomas

The task forces will complete their reports as quickly as possible. It is not part of their remit to reappraise the strategy agreed for the British Steel Corporation, but I have asked them to pay particular regard to the timing announced and to the impact that this will have on their work.

Mr. Foot

The Secretary of State has had the advantage of knowing from people in Ebbw Vale what they think about this matter. Does he agree that everyone in Ebbw Vale who has looked at the matter agrees that the proposed dates for closure are intolerable and impossible, that we are prepared to look at the BSC's proposals in a reasonable manner, although we are fundamentally opposed to them, and that we will examine why it has departed from the promises which were given to us? Does he agree that it is entirely reasonable for us to demand that his task force should give an urgent interim report to him, to the Government and to the British Steel Corporation on whether it agrees with us on dates? Therefore, will he ask the task force to inform him as soon as possible—perhaps before it reports on other matters—its view on these dates? Surely we are entitled to discuss these matters not under the threat of dictation or duress.

Mr. Peter Thomas

I very much welcome the meeting that I had in Ebbw Vale last Friday. I thought that all the interests represented presented their case with great dignity and force. The purpose of the task force, as the hon. Gentleman knows, is to assess the needs of the area completely. It has a wide remit. Obviously in analysing the impact of the proposals the task force will need to take account of the timing. I have asked it to indicate whether, in its view, the problems can be dealt with within that time scale. If it comes to the conclusion that they cannot, it will be open to it to say whether a different time scale would be helpful.

Mr. Foot

I thank the right hon. and learned Gentleman for that statement. May I ask further whether the report of the task force on the timing will be made available as soon as possible to the country, and particularly to the people in Ebbw Vale?

Mr. Peter Thomas

No, Sir. The task force is composed of officials who will be reporting directly to me. Their report will obviously be one of the proposals on which the Government will have to make a decision. The report will not be made public.

Mr. George Thomas

As Lord Melchett has indicated that the East Moors closure may occur within a three-year spell, may I ask whether the Secretary of State realises the extreme urgency of an early report from the task force? Is he aware that the people of Wales have a right to know what these task forces recommend?

Mr. Peter Thomas

I agree that it is very important that these task forces should finish their work as quickly as possible. They will report to me within two or three months on Ebbw Vale. The question of timing exercises the minds of all concerned with these particular areas.