HC Deb 18 February 1981 vol 999 cc275-6
Mr. A. E. P. Duffy (Sheffield, Attercliffe)

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 announcement by Johnson and Firth Brown, the biggest private sector steel and engineering firm in Sheffield, that it is to sack at least 1,250 workers in a bid to ensure that it survives the slump and enormous energy bills. I believe that the matter is specific. Mr, Arthur Hogg, the managing director, and Mr. Jack Illingworth, the chairman of the shop stewards, conveyed the announcement to me last night and pointed out that total cuts needed to keep the firm in business with a chance of survival could be as high as 1,400.

The matter is important, because the products of this blue-chip giant are technologically advanced. Its new plant is first class, its basic costs compare well with any of its international competitors, and relations between management and workers have long been exemplary. Yet in recent months it has been reduced to one-third of its working capacity. Its fate will have profound consequences, therefore, for similar private steel, wire and engineering activities, right across the economy.

The matter is urgent, because there appears to be no certainty that this drastic surgery will guarantee that the firm survives without further cuts. Much now depends upon the strength of the pound, the costs of borrowing money, energy prices, and the attitude of the Secretary of State for Industry to the floundering private sector. All are within the control of the Government, as has been pointed out again and again to Ministers.

I am pleased to see the Minister of State, Department of Industry on the Front Bench. The situation was pointed out to his predecessor and to Ministers in the Departments of Energy and Employment. It has also been pointed out in correspondence, as well on the Floor of the House, notably on 4 August last and more recently on 4 December, when I put forward Johnson and Firth Brown as an illustration of the severity of the impact of Government policies on British industry and the gamble being taken by the Government in allowing those policies to run their course.

I am advised by Johnson and Firth Brown that despite those pleas and warnings, energy pricing policy in particular continues to cause hardship, and that there is no sign of relief. I am advised that if it continues the consequences could be disastrous.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Gentleman 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 announcement by Johnson and Firth Brown, the biggest private sector steel and engineering firm in Sheffield, that it is to sack at least 1,250 workers in a bid to ensure that it survives the slump and enormous energy bills. The House will understand that I always read out the exact words of the application as it is submitted to me. The House knows that under Standing Order No. 9 I am directed to take into account the several factors set out in the Order but to give no reasons for my decision.

The hon. Gentleman has directed our attention to what is undoubtedly an important problem in his constituency—[HON. MEMBERS: "And elsewhere".]—and no doubt elsewhere. However, I have to rule that the hon. Gentleman's submission does not fall within the provisions of the Standing Order and, therefore, I cannot submit his application to the House.