§ Q3. Mr. BatesTo ask the Prime Minister what initiatives he is taking to improve the competitiveness of British business.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Government are determined to build on the world-class industries that the United Kingdom already has. The White Paper "Competitiveness: Helping Business to Win" sets out the most comprehensive agenda ever right across Government to improve the competitiveness of British business.
§ Mr. BatesI am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that answer, but does he accept that perhaps the greatest contribution to the increased competitiveness of our economy has come from the privatisation of loss-making nationalised industries such as British Steel? Does he accept that today British Steel is the world's most efficient producer of steel, and will he ensure that that hard-earned and strong reputation in the world will not be blunted by state-subsidised, inefficient European competitors?
§ The Prime MinisterWe will certainly continue to do all that we can to bring pressure to bear on our European partners to ensure that British industry is not damaged by unfair competition.
Since British Steel moved from the public to the private sector, it has transformed itself into an efficient, integrated, profitable producer. Exports have doubled in recent years, and British Steel is now one of Britain's largest exporters.
§ Mr. ClellandDoes the Prime Minister recognise that the biggest danger to manufacturing industry in the northern region is the loss of previously privatised industries such as Swan Hunter? What will he do to protect that industry?
§ The Prime MinisterAs the hon. Gentleman would have noted from the White Paper on competitiveness, the only way in which to protect any industry in this country—or, indeed, any other—is to ensure that it can compete, and is producing something that people wish to buy at the time when they wish to buy it and at a price that they can afford. That is the Government's policy; I wish that it had the whole-hearted support of the Opposition.