§ 4. Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he has had any recent discussions with the chairman of the British Steel Corporation.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsNo, Sir.
§ Mr. HughesIn view of the deepening recession in the Western world, which particularly affects the steel industry, would it not be better for the Government to end speculation about any possible selling off of the corporation's assets 885 and to make every effort to curb the ever-increasing volume of steel imports?
§ Mr. EdwardsNo one can doubt the importance of the steel industry to this country or the difficult time through which it is passing. It is up to the corporation to decide on its investment programmes. I have nothing to add to the statement we have made about the steel industry generally.
§ Sir Anthony MeyerDoes my right hon. Friend agree that in certain circumstances selling off assets may be better than closure, but that, equally, even closure could be better than continued uncertainty?
§ Mr. EdwardsClearly the important thing is that we should have a viable steel industry, able to compete successfully in the world. The commercial decisions about individual plants must be a matter for the corporation.
§ Mr. Barry JonesGiven the loss of steel-making jobs in the Cardiff and Ebbw Vale areas, will the right hon. Gentleman pledge that he will give top priority—as did the previous Government—to obtaining new jobs for those areas? Will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that he will fight with the utmost determination to persuade his ministerial colleagues to save steel-making at Shotton?
§ Mr. EdwardsThe answer to the first question is "Yes." The answer to the second question is that, as I have just observed, decisions about individual plants must be for the corporation to make, according to its technical and commercial judgment.