Teesside Industry (Hansard, 19 May 1993)

§ 5. Mr. Bates
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he held on his last visit to Teesside in relation to measures to be taken to encourage manufacturing industry and exports.

§ The President of the Board of Trade and Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (Mr. Michael Heseltine)
I last went to Teesside on 29 April. I visited the Greentyre company, held discussions with local business men and gave the toast to commerce and industry at the Teesside chamber's annual dinner.

§ Mr. Bates
I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for his answer. If he has had an opportunity to read the latest "Business Survey North", which is a survey of 1,000 businesses carried out by the Northern Development Company and the chambers of commerce, he will have noted that it clearly points out that 61 per cent. of manufacturing firms on Teesside have experienced an increase in export orders in the past three months and that it goes on to conclude that export orders on Teesside in manufacturing industry are now at a record level. Does my right hon. Friend agree that these facts are a clear vindication of this Government's economic and industrial policies and an equally clear demonstration of the dynamism of manufacturing industry on Teesside'

§ Mr. Heseltine
By one of those curious coincidences, I have seen the figures to which my hon. Friend draws my attention. They give grounds for precisely the optimism to which he refers. In the fourth quarter of 1992, manufactured exports, excluding erratics, were at a record level. Output in the three months to March was 2 per cent. higher than it was a year ago, and a quarter higher than in 1981.

§ Mr. Mandelson
At the same time as the right hon. Gentleman was holding his welcome discussions on Teesside, was he aware that his Department was preparing to desert the interests of a key manufacturing company, Steetley Magnesia Products Ltd. of Hartlepool? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, at a meeting today in Brussels, his Department is, I am told, withholding its support from vital anti-dumping measures that are needed to cope with unfair competition from China? Will he undertake today to reconsider the Government's position on this issue before Steetley Magnesia Products Ltd. and the future of this vital industry are placed in serious jeopardy?

§ Mr. Heseltine
The hon. Gentleman raises an important question. I can assure him that we are looking at this case, as we look at all allegations of dumping, extremely clearly and carefully, but the House must realise that there are just too many examples of companies that lose orders and immediately suggest that they did so for unfair reasons. Our overall national interest is to preserve openness of trade and not to become involved in recriminations. However, I shall certainly look at the hon. Gentleman's case.

§ Mr. Batiste
The Government have said repeatedly that they are seeking to help British industry by negotiating with our European partners to bring to an end the Arab boycott. Will my right hon. Friend confirm that that remains the Government's intention, and can he say whether—

§ Madam Speaker
Order. The question refers to Teesside. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will relate his question to Teesside.

§ Mr. Batiste
My right hon. Friend will be aware that industry in Teesside is seriously affected by the impact of the Arab boycott on Israel. Can he say whether any progress was made over raising that boycott in the recent negotiations between European Community Ministers and the Gulf Co-operation Council?

§ Mr. Heseltine
To the best of my knowledge, this matter was not raised at the recent meeting, but my hon. Friend has our sympathy. He will be aware, though, that there is not a mind to introduce legislation to deal with these matters. I think that that has the overwhelming support of the people who have an interest in those matters.