HC Deb 26 February 1973 vol 851 cc1051-2
18. Mr. Kinnock

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with British Steel Corporation about further steelmaking capacity in Wales.

Mr. Peter Thomas

The situation in Wales was fully considered by the Government when they appraised the British Steel Corporation's 10-year development strategy.

Mr. Kinnock

That makes things even worse. Does not the Secretary of State recall that the purpose of having a Secretary of State for Wales was to safeguard Welsh interests in all matters before all bodies and in all considerations? Will he therefore take into account the fact that under the proposals of the BSC the increase in steelmaking capacity in Wales over the next 10 years will be 7 per cent., in Scotland it will be 40 per cent., in Yorkshire and Humberside 50 per cent. and in the Northern Region 200 per cent.? The Northern Region has no Secretary of State in the Cabinet. Does the right hon. Gentleman think that it would be a good idea for us to do without our Secretary of State so that we might get a squarer deal?

Mr. Peter Thomas

I do not dissent from the hon. Gentleman's figures, but what he clearly has not appreciated is the enormous investment which it is proposed to make in Wales, which will safeguard in a competitive world the employment of 50,000 people in the steel industry.

Mr. John Morris

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is some disbelief in Wales about where the £900 million will go? Can he now tell the House how he satisfied himself about where the money would be spent? Can he now take the House into his confidence and tell us where the money will be spent?

Mr. Peter Thomas

I am fully aware that hon. Members have asked for a detailed breakdown. As my hon. Friend the Minister for Industry made clear in Tuesday's debate, it is not possible to give the kind of detailed breakdown that Labour Members are demanding. I suggest that they should look at my hon. Friend's words again.

Mr. Barry Jones

Of the £900 million available for Wales for steelmaking investment, how much will North Wales have?

Mr. Peter Thomas

As the hon. Gentleman knows, it is proposed—I realise that the hon. Gentleman is interested in Shotton—that the finishing end of Shotton will be one of the most modern finishing ends in the industry.

Mr. George Thomas

Surely the Secretary of State and other members of the Government have not reached the figure of £900 million to be spent in Wales without having a very good idea of how it is to be divided, what proportion will go to Llanwern, what proportion will go to Port Talbot and what proportion will go to other parts of Wales. Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman give an indication of how the £900 million will be made up?

Mr. Peter Thomas

As I said, I cannot add to what my hon. Friend the Minister for Industry said in the steel debate. I suggest that the right hon. Gentleman looks at his exact words. The Government have accepted that an investment of £3,000 million should be spent in the United Kingdom in the steel industry over the next 10 years. It is agreed by the British Steel Corporation that of that expenditure Wales will get approximately one-third.

Mr. John Morris

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I give notice that I intend to raise the whole issue of the £900 million at the earliest opportunity.