HC Deb 02 April 1979 vol 965 cc929-30
14. Mr. Michael Marshall

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is his latest estimate of the effect of the road hauliers' dispute on the steel industry?

Mr. Les Huckfield

The British Steel Corporation estimates a loss of £50 million in January and February resulting from rail and road haulage disputes and the bad weather. It is difficult to say how much the road haulage dispute accounts for this.

Mr. Marshall

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the figure he has just given is higher than that given by his right hon. Friend during Question Time in January? Will he explain whether any further slippage is expected? Is he aware that 72,000 tonnes of steel are currently held up in Felixstowe docks, and have been held up there since the end of January? Precisely what is his Department doing following representations by BSC to it on 22 March?

Mr. Huckfield

The question of steel in Felixstowe docks may not be a matter for my right hon. Friend, but it the hon. Gentleman cares to let me have more details I shall certainly look into it.

Mr. Anderson

Is it not wrong in principle that one nationalised industry, BSC, does not use another, British Rail, when all things are equal? Does not this dispute offer my hon. Friend a good opportunity to remind BSC of the opportunities and services provided by British Rail?

Mr. Huckfield

My hon. Friend makes a very sensible and well-argued point, but I think he will take cognisance of the fact that British Steel uses not only the nationalised services of British Rail but the publicly owned services of the National Freight Corporation.