§ Ordered,
§ That at this day's sitting, the British Steel Bill may be proceeded with, though opposed, until any hour.—[Mr. Ryder.]
§ Question again proposed, That the Bill be now read the Third time.
§ Mr. AtkinsWe also heard from the hon. Member for Dagenham (Mr. Gould) about the designer Socialism which he is seeking to create for the Labour party. In the context of the debate on the enabling Bill for the British 1044 Steel Corporation, he did not tell us exactly what the Labour party will do for the future. We have had to admire him, because he has talked about everything except the issue. We have not heard whether the Labour party will renationalise the BSC, and the House is aware of that fact. [HON. MEMBERS: "Long speech."] If Opposition Members seek to provoke me, I could refer to a great deal more. Since they well know that their prayer follows this debate and that Scottish Labour Members have delayed my winding up, they had better be very careful.
There were interventions from my hon. Friends the Members for Darlington (Mr. Fallon) and for Corby (Mr. Powell), both of whom know what they are talking about—one was a member of the Committee, and the other represents a constituency which contains a steel-processing plant. Conservative Members will agree that their contributions were a succinct summary of why we believe that the Bill is the right way to go.
Above all, the speech that sums up the Opposition was from the right hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Foot), an extremely distinguished Member. At least we know where we stand with him. The traditional View of old-fashioned Socialism rules supreme. Nothing changes; steel must always be nationalised and must be in public ownership. However, as hon. Members will remember, steel had its problems in his day. Does the right hon. Gentleman not remember the closures at Ebbw Vale when he was Secretary of State for Employment which made him somewhat unpopular because of the difficulties faced by the steel industry at that time?
Steel has had its difficulties in public ownership and doubtless will in future. However, we have brought the Bill to the House, we have been through Committee and have reached Third Reading, because we believe that the future is very bright indeed.
§ Mr. Tim Devlin (Stockton, South)Just before my hon. Friend finishes, does he agree that the Bill will be extremely good for regions such as mine in the north-east, because it will give the competitive management on Teesside a great deal more scope for its imagination in the years to come, and provide wider share ownership in a region which needs further encouragement for enterprise and weaning from the bosom of the state?
§ Mr. AtkinsLike my other hon. Friends, my hon. Friend the Member for Stockton, South (Mr. Devlin) makes his point extremely well.
We look to the future and seek to give British Steel the means to secure lasting success for itself, for employees and for shareholders, and in so doing to contribute to the national interest. The company must have the freedom to make rapid decisions and to adapt to a changing market. I am confident that, as a private sector company, British Steel will do the nation proud. The Bill marks the first step in the privatisation process, and I commend it to the House.
§ Question put, That the Bill be now read the Third time:—
§ The House divided: Ayes 263, Noes 199.
1048| Division No. 312] | [10.04 pm |
| AYES | |
| Adley, Robert | Amess, David |
| Aitken, Jonathan | Amos, Alan |
| Alexander, Richard | Arbuthnot, James |
| Alison, Rt Hon Michael | Arnold, Jacques (Gravesham) |
| Allason, Rupert | Arnold, Tom (Hazel Grove) |
| Ashby, David | Franks, Cecil |
| Atkins, Robert | Freeman, Roger |
| Atkinson, David | French, Douglas |
| Baker, Rt Hon K. (Mole Valley) | Gale, Roger |
| Baker, Nicholas (Dorset N) | Gardiner, George |
| Baldry, Tony | Garel-Jones, Tristan |
| Barnes, Mrs Rosie (Greenwich) | Gill, Christopher |
| Batiste, Spencer | Goodhart, Sir Philip |
| Beaumont-Dark, Anthony | Goodlad, Alastair |
| Bellingham, Henry | Goodson-Wickes, Dr Charles |
| Bennett, Nicholas (Pembroke) | Gorman, Mrs Teresa |
| Benyon, W. | Gorst, John |
| Biffen, Rt Hon John | Gow, Ian |
| Biggs-Davison, Sir John | Gower, Sir Raymond |
| Blackburn, Dr John G. | Greenway, Harry (Ealing N) |
| Blaker, Rt Hon Sir Peter | Greenway, John (Ryedale) |
| Bonsor, Sir Nicholas | Gregory, Conal |
| Boscawen, Hon Robert | Griffiths, Sir Eldon (Bury St E') |
| Boswell, Tim | Griffiths, Peter (Portsmouth N) |
| Bottomley, Peter | Grist, Ian |
| Bottomley, Mrs Virginia | Ground, Patrick |
| Bowden, A (Brighton K'pto'n) | Gummer, Rt Hon John Selwyn |
| Bowden, Gerald (Dulwich) | Hamilton, Hon Archie (Epsom) |
| Bowis, John | Hamilton, Neil (Tatton) |
| Boyson, Rt Hon Dr Sir Rhodes | Hampson, Dr Keith |
| Braine, Rt Hon Sir Bernard | Hannam, John |
| Brandon-Bravo, Martin | Hargreaves, A. (B'ham H'll Gr') |
| Brazier, Julian | Harg reaves. Ken (Hyndburn) |
| Brittan, Rt Hon Leon | Harris, David |
| Brooke, Rt Hon Peter | Haselhurst, Alan |
| Brown, Michael (Brigg & Cl't's) | Hawkins, Christopher |
| Bruce, Ian (Dorset South) | Hayes, Jerry |
| Buchanan-Smith, Rt Hon Alick | Hayhoe, Rt Hon Sir Barney |
| Budgen, Nicholas | Hayward, Robert |
| Burns, Simon | Heathcoat-Amory, David |
| Burt, Alistair | Heddle, John |
| Butcher, John | Hicks, Mrs Maureen (Wolv' NE) |
| Butler, Chris | Hicks, Robert (Cornwall SE) |
| Butterfill, John | Higgins, Rt Hon Terence L. |
| Carlisle, John, (Luton N) | Hill, James |
| Carlisle, Kenneth (Lincoln) | Hordern, Sir Peter |
| Carrington, Matthew | Howard, Michael |
| Carttiss, Michael | Howarth, G. (Cannock & B'wd) |
| Cartwright, John | Howell, Ralph (North Norfolk) |
| Cash, William | Hughes, Robert G. (Harrow W) |
| Chapman, Sydney | Hunt, David (Wirral W) |
| Chope, Christopher | Hunt, John (Ravensbourne) |
| Clark, Sir W. (Croydon S) | Hunter, Andrew |
| Clarke, Rt Hon K. (Rushcliffe) | Hurd, Rt Hon Douglas |
| Colvin, Michael | Irvine, Michael |
| Conway, Derek | Irving, Charles |
| Coombs, Anthony (Wyre F'rest) | Jack, Michael |
| Coombs, Simon (Swindon) | Jackson, Robert |
| Cope, John | Janman, Tim |
| Couchman, James | Jessel, Toby |
| Cran, James | Johnson Smith, Sir Geoffrey |
| Currie, Mrs Edwina | Jones, Gwilym (Cardiff N) |
| Davis, David (Boothferry) | Jones, Robert B (Herts W) |
| Day, Stephen | Jopling, Rt Hon Michael |
| Devlin, Tim | Kellett-Bowman, Dame Elaine |
| Dickens, Geoffrey | Key, Robert |
| Dorrell, Stephen | King, Rt Hon Tom (Bridgwater) |
| Douglas-Hamilton, Lord James | Kirkhope, Timothy |
| Dover, Den | Knapman, Roger |
| Dunn, Bob | Knight, Greg (Derby North) |
| Durant, Tony | Knight, Dame Jill (Edgbaston) |
| Dykes, Hugh | Knowles, Michael |
| Emery, Sir Peter | Knox, David |
| Evans, David (Welwyn Hatf'd) | Lang, Ian |
| Evennett, David | Lawrence, Ivan |
| Fallon, Michael | Lee, John (Pendle) |
| Farr, Sir John | Lilley, Peter |
| Fenner, Dame Peggy | Lloyd, Sir Ian (Havant) |
| Field, Barry (Isle of Wight) | Lloyd, Peter (Fareham) |
| Finsberg, Sir Geoffrey | Lord, Michael |
| Fookes, Miss Janet | Luce, Rt Hon Richard |
| Forsyth, Michael (Stirling) | Lyell, Sir Nicholas |
| Forth, Eric | Macfarlane, Sir Neil |
| Fowler, Rt Hon Norman | MacGregor, Rt Hon John |
| Fox, Sir Marcus | MacKay, Andrew (E Berkshire) |
| Maclean, David | Raffan, Keith |
| McLoughlin, Patrick | Raison, Rt Hon Timothy |
| McNair-Wilson, M. (Newbury) | Rathbone, Tim |
| McNair-Wilson, P. (New Forest) | Redwood, John |
| Madel, David | Renton, Tim |
| Major, Rt Hon John | Rhodes James, Robert |
| Malins, Humfrey | Ridsdale, Sir Julian |
| Mans, Keith | Roe, Mrs Marion |
| Maples, John | Rost, Peter |
| Marlow, Tony | Rowe, Andrew |
| Marshall, Michael (Arundel) | Rumbold, Mrs Angela |
| Martin, David (Portsmouth S) | Ryder, Richard |
| Mates, Michael | Sackville, Hon Tom |
| Mawhinney, Dr Brian | Sainsbury, Hon Tim |
| Maxwell-Hyslop, Robin | Shaw, David (Dover) |
| Mayhew, Rt Hon Sir Patrick | Shaw, Sir Michael (Scarb') |
| Meyer, Sir Anthony | Shelton, William (Streatham) |
| Miller, Hal | Shephard, Mrs G. (Norfolk SW) |
| Mills, lain | Shepherd, Richard (Aldridge) |
| Miscampbell, Norman | Sims, Roger |
| Mitchell, Andrew (Gedling) | Smith, Tim (Beaconsfield) |
| Moate, Roger | Soames, Hon Nicholas |
| Monro, Sir Hector | Speller, Tony |
| Montgomery, Sir Fergus | Spicer, Michael (S Worcs) |
| Moore, Rt Hon John | Squire, Robin |
| Moss, Malcolm | Stanley, Rt Hon John |
| Moynihan, Hon Colin | Stern, Michael |
| Mudd, David | Stevens, Lewis |
| Neale, Gerrard | Stradling Thomas, Sir John |
| Nelson, Anthony | Summerson, Hugo |
| Neubert, Michael | Taylor, John M (Solihull) |
| Newton, Rt Hon Tony | Thompson, D. (Calder Valley) |
| Nicholls, Patrick | Thornton, Malcolm |
| Nicholson, David (Taunton) | Thurnham, Peter |
| Nicholson, Emma (Devon West) | Townsend, Cyril D. (B'heath) |
| Onslow, Rt Hon Cranley | Twinn, Dr Ian |
| Oppenheim, Phillip | Vaughan, Sir Gerard |
| Owen, Rt Hon Dr David | Waddington, Rt Hon David |
| Page, Richard | Walker, Bill (T'side North) |
| Paice, James | Walters, Dennis |
| Patnick, Irvine | Widdecombe, Ann |
| Patten, Chris (Bath) | Wiggin, Jerry |
| Patten, John (Oxford W) | Wilshire, David |
| Pawsey, James | Wood, Timothy |
| Peacock, Mrs Elizabeth | |
| Porter, Barry (Wirral S) | Tellers for the Ayes: |
| Porter, David (Waveney) | Mr. David Lightbown and |
| Portillo, Michael | Mr. Alan Howarth. |
| Powell, William (Corby) |
| NOES | |
| Abbott, Ms Diane | Caborn, Richard |
| Adams, Allen (Paisley N) | Campbell, Menzies (Fife NE) |
| Allen, Graham | Campbell, Ron (Blyth Valley) |
| Alton, David | Campbell-Savours, D. N. |
| Anderson, Donald | Canavan, Dennis |
| Archer, Rt Hon Peter | Carlile, Alex (Mont'g) |
| Armstrong, Hilary | Clark, Dr David (S Shields) |
| Ashley, Rt Hon Jack | Clarke, Tom (Monklands W) |
| Ashton, Joe | Clay, Bob |
| Banks, Tony (Newham NW) | Clelland, David |
| Barnes, Harry (Derbyshire NE) | Clwyd, Mrs Ann |
| Barron, Kevin | Cohen, Harry |
| Battle, John | Coleman, Donald |
| Beckett, Margaret | Cook, Frank (Stockton N) |
| Beith, A. J. | Cook, Robin (Livingston) |
| Bell, Stuart | Corbett, Robin |
| Benn, Rt Hon Tony | Corbyn, Jeremy |
| Bermingham, Gerald | Cousins, Jim |
| Blair, Tony | Cox, Tom |
| Blunkett, David | Crowther, Stan |
| Boateng, Paul | Cryer, Bob |
| Boyes, Roland | Cummings, John |
| Bradley, Keith | Cunliffe, Lawrence |
| Bray, Dr Jeremy | Dalyell, Tam |
| Brown, Gordon (D'mline E) | Darling, Alistair |
| Brown, Nicholas (Newcastle E) | Davies, Rt Hon Denzil (Llanelli) |
| Bruce, Malcolm (Gordon) | Davies, Ron (Caerphilly) |
| Buchan, Norman | Dewar, Donald |
| Buckley, George J. | Dixon, Don |
| Dobson, Frank | Howell, Rt Hon D. (S'heath) |
| Doran, Frank | Howells, Geraint |
| Douglas, Dick | Hoyle, Doug |
| Dunnachie, Jimmy | Hughes, John (Coventry NE) |
| Dunwoody, Hon Mrs Gwyneth | Hughes, Robert (Aberdeen N) |
| Eadie, Alexander | Hughes, Roy (Newport E) |
| Eastham, Ken | Hughes, Sean (Knowsley S) |
| Ewing, Harry (Falkirk E) | Illsley, Eric |
| Ewing, Mrs Margaret (Moray) | Ingram, Adam |
| Fatchett, Derek | Janner, Greville |
| Fearn, Ronald | John, Brynmor |
| Field, Frank (Birkenhead) | Jones, Barry (Alyn & Deeside) |
| Fields, Terry (L'pool B G'n) | Jones, Martyn (Clwyd S W) |
| Fisher, Mark | Kennedy, Charles |
| Flannery, Martin | Kirkwood, Archy |
| Flynn, Paul | Lambie, David |
| Foot, Rt Hon Michael | Lamond, James |
| Foster, Derek | Leadbitter, Ted |
| Foulkes, George | Lestor, Joan (Eccles) |
| Fraser, John | Lewis, Terry |
| Galbraith, Sam | Livsey, Richard |
| Galloway, George | Lloyd, Tony (Stretford) |
| Garrett, John (Norwich South) | Loyden, Eddie |
| Garrett, Ted (Wallsend) | McAllion, John |
| Gilbert, Rt Hon Dr John | McAvoy, Thomas |
| Godman, Dr Norman A. | McCartney, Ian |
| Gordon, Mildred | McFall, John |
| Gould, Bryan | McKay, Allen (Barnsley West) |
| Graham, Thomas | McKelvey, William |
| Grant, Bernie (Tottenham) | McLeish, Henry |
| Griffiths, Nigel (Edinburgh S) | McTaggart, Bob |
| Grocott, Bruce | Madden, Max |
| Hardy, Peter | Marek, Dr John |
| Healey, Rt Hon Denis | Marshall, Jim (Leicester S) |
| Heffer, Eric S. | Martin, Michael J. (Springburn) |
| Henderson, Doug | Martlew, Eric |
| Hogg, N. (C'nauld & Kilsyth) | Maxton, John |
| Holland, Stuart | Meale, Alan |
| Home Robertson, John | Michael, Alun |
| Hood, Jimmy | Michie, Bill (Sheffield Heeley) |
| Howarth, George (Knowsley N) | Michie, Mrs Ray (Arg'l & Bute) |
| Millan, Rt Hon Bruce | Skinner, Dennis |
| Moonie, Dr Lewis | Smith, Andrew (Oxford E) |
| Morgan, Rhodri | Smith, C. (Isl'ton & F'bury) |
| Morley, Elliott | Soley, Clive |
| Morris, Rt Hon A. (W'shawe) | Spearing, Nigel |
| Morris, Rt Hon J. (Aberavon) | Steel, Rt Hon David |
| Mowlam, Marjorie | Steinberg, Gerry |
| Mullin, Chris | Stott, Roger |
| Murphy, Paul | Strang, Gavin |
| Nellist, Dave | Straw, Jack |
| O'Neill, Martin | Taylor, Mrs Ann (Dewsbury) |
| Orme, Rt Hon Stanley | Taylor, Matthew (Truro) |
| Parry, Robert | Thompson, Jack (Wansbeck) |
| Patchett, Terry | Vaz, Keith |
| Pendry, Tom | Wall, Pat |
| Pike, Peter L. | Wallace, James |
| Powell, Ray (Ogmore) | Walley, Joan |
| Randall, Stuart | Wareing, Robert N. |
| Redmond, Martin | Welsh, Andrew (Angus E) |
| Rees, Rt Hon Merlyn | Welsh, Michael (Doncaster N) |
| Reid, Dr John | Williams, Rt Hon Alan |
| Richardson, Jo | Williams, Alan W. (Carm'then) |
| Roberts, Allan (Bootle) | Wilson, Brian |
| Robinson, Geoffrey | Winnick, David |
| Rogers, Allan | Worthington, Tony |
| Rooker, Jeff | Wray, Jimmy |
| Ruddock, Joan | Young, David (Bolton SE) |
| Salmond, Alex | |
| Sedgemore, Brian | Tellers for the Noes: |
| Sheerman, Barry | Mr. Frank Haynes and |
| Sheldon, Rt Hon Robert | Mrs. Llin Golding. |
| Short, Clare |
§ Question accordingly agreed to.
§ Bill read the Third time, and passed