HC Deb 11 April 1984 vol 58 cc369-70
3. Mr. Tom Clarke

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the Scottish Trades Union Congress and other Scottish bodies about the future of Ravenscraig and Gartcosh.

The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. George Younger)

I have received no representations on this matter since last autumn.

Mr. Clarke

Will the Secretary of State take this opportunity, especially in view of the worry about the redundancies announced last week in the tube division in Lanarkshire, to confirm the excellent productivity record of Gartcosh and Ravenscraig during the past year? Will he reciprocate the efforts of the steel workers by taking this opportunity to make an optimistic statement about the future of both plants?

Mr. Younger

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for what he said. I have been greatly encouraged by the productivity improvements that have been achieved recently at Ravenscraig and Gartcosh. I am glad that they are receiving supplies of coal. It is extremely important that that supply should continue.

Mr. Dewar

Will the Secretary of State accept that the Opposition also welcome the sensible co-operation between the unions about supplying coal to Ravenscraig? That action reflects the anxiety about Ravenscraig's central position in the future of the Scottish economy. In those circumstances, and recognising that there are uncertainties and rumours about the plant and the limited guarantee that has been given about its future, will the right hon. Gentleman go along with me in saying that, in view of the large reductions in steel capacity, there is now no case for the closure of a major steel plant in any part of the United Kingdom?

Mr. Younger

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for what he said. As he will know, on a number of occasions at meetings of the Council of Ministers my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has made it clear that we consider that, if reductions in capacity are needed on a European basis, that matter ought to be tackled by our partners in the Community, who have been much less affected than Britain in that respect.

Mr. Bill Walker

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the threat to Ravenscraig has been brought about by the industrial problem in the coalfields? Until that matter is resolved, Ravenscraig will be threatened. Every effort should be made, especially by the Labour Front Bench, to resolve that problem.

Mr. Younger

I repeat that the fact that supplies are getting through to Ravenscraig is of great importance. The British Steel Corporation is considering various options for the future, and before long will present them to the Government.