12. Mr. Mark Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from the Iron and Steel Trades Confederation regarding the future of the Llanwern steelworks.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsI met representatives of the Iron and Steel Trades Confederation on 30 January. We discussed the achievements of Llanwern to date and the prospects for future investment at the plant.
Mr. RobinsonI am glad that my right hon. Friend has mentioned that the representations referred to the positive successes at Llanwern. As an example of that, since the closure of Shotton, Llanwern has captured 15 per cent. of the entire vitreous enamel market, as compared with a previous figure of nought per cent. That is a sign of success. Does my right hon. Friend agree that we should lead from example and that success will lead to further success?
§ Mr. EdwardsI agree with my hon. Friend. The facts concerning Llanwern are clear. As a result of streamlining, the man hours per tonne have improved from 7.0 in 1980 to about half that figure in recent months. Indeed, the best figure for any one month was 3.2 and the average over the year was 3.6. That is a striking record of progress, and I am sure that every effort will be made to maintain it and improve on it still further.
§ Mr. Ray PowellWill the Secretary of State ensure that we maintain the strip mill capacity that we now have in Wales? If not, will he, like his colleague the Secretary of State for Scotland, offer his resignation if there is pressure to close either of the works in Wales?
§ Mr. EdwardsI have no intention of offering my resignation against a threat that has not even been made, and still less of informing the hon. Gentleman about it at the outset of the proceedings.