HC Deb 16 July 1979 vol 970 cc1027-8
Mr. Barry Jones

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 9 for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely, the proposed closure of steel making at the BSC Shotton works, in my constituency. Last week's announcement stated that 6,300 job losses could be expected out of the existing 10,800 jobs at Shotton, but I am informed that the redundancies may top 7,000 and that the 6,300 total is only a basement figure.

In the Secretary of State for Industry's reluctant statement last week he did not answer the crucial question, namely, how the Corporation can guarantee the regular delivery, over hundreds of miles, of 1½ million tons per year of sheet steel to the Shotton steelworks from Scotland and other works in the United Kingdom. The failure to resolve that issue puts a big question mark over the remaining 4,000 jobs.

In addition, the statement did not adequately deal with the anxiety about the social consequences of the closure. Many steel workers face a life on the dole if the proposals go forward.

I wish to ask the Secretary of State for Industry how the Government will create up to 9,000 new jobs in the short time span of the proposed rundown of steel making. At home, there is a widespread feeling of resentment at the way in which the closure was announced. We believe that the Government are acting in a brutal, pitiless and savage manner, and that they are sacrificing Shotton on the alter of free market economics.

What the Government propose is not only unwise but unjust. Like the Levite, the Government are passing by on the other side while Shotton steelworks bleeds.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member gave me notice before 12 o'clock today that he would seek leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he believes should have urgent consideration, namely, the proposed closure of steel making at the BSC Shotton works, in his constituency. The hon. Gentleman made a similar application last Thursday, when he anticipated that an announcement might be made. I listened with care to what he had to say. I am satisfied that the matter raised by the hon. Member is proper to be discussed under Standing Order No. 9. Does the hon. Gentleman have the leave of the House?

The leave of the House having been given—

Mr. Speaker

The debate stands over until tomorrow.