Shotton Steelworks

HC Deb 02 July 1973 vol 859 cc5-6

5. Sir A. Meyer

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to announce the decisions taken on the advice tendered by the task force set up to consider the consequences for Flint-shire of the rundown of steelmaking at Shotton.

16. Mr. Barry Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to make public his recommendations regarding the report of his Shotton Steelworks task force.

Mr. Peter Thomas

The task force has not yet completed its wide-ranging consultations. I expect to receive its final report before the end of the month. The Government's decisions will be announced as soon as possible thereafter.

Sir A. Myer

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that the process of demoralisation which set in with the announcement of the proposed rundown of steelmaking at Shotton is now accelerating dangerously? Does he not consider that there is now great urgency to announce at least four things: first, that there will be a massive injection of investment into the coking side at Shotton; second, that every incentive will be offered to new steel-using industry to come into the area; third, that we shall have a very early announcement of a decision on the Dee estuary scheme; and fourth, that there will be a massive road programme for North Wales?

Mr. Thomas

All those matters which have been referred to by my hon. Friend are matters which have been urged on the task force. The task force has had very wide-ranging consultations and is preparing its final report. As I say, I hope to receive that report shortly. I can assure my hon. Friend that the Government will pay particular attention not only to the recommendations of the task force but to the submissions which have been made by all interested parties.

Mr. Jones

Will the Secretary of State please recommend special development area status for Deeside? Is not the problem of persuading new industries to come to Deeside not only an expensive but a world-wide problem, and would not that merit special Government financial aid? Finally, has the task force fully comprehended the attitude of the Shotton steel men towards the closure, namely, that they are unimpressed by the brochure produced by BSC which, they believe is lamentably inadequate as a case for ending steelmaking at Shotton?

Mr. Thomas

The task force has certainly received representations on Government assistance from a wide variety of interests, and it will he reporting on this issue in full in its final report to me.