§ 6. Alan Howarth (Newport, East)What information he has been given by Corus on plans for the future of Llanwern sports and social club; and if he will make a statement. [525]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Don Touhig)I was disappointed to learn of Corus's decision to close the sports and social club at Llanwern. I know that my right hon. Friend, supported by his local newspaper, the South Wales Argus, has led a vigorous campaign to keep it open, and I can tell the House that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has today written to Sir Brian Moffat, asking Corus to reconsider that decision in view of the devastation that the company has already caused the steelworking community surrounding Llanwern.
§ Alan HowarthI am grateful to my hon. Friend and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for that. Clearly, they agree that the decision by Corus to close the club is a further body blow to the community of Newport. Is my hon. Friend aware, however, that the National Playing Fields Association Cymra has offered to take on the site and to assist local people to ensure the future of those vital recreational facilities? Will he confer with the First Minister to ensure that Corus does not get away with exploiting the site for development value? Will he use his good offices to broker a solution that is in the interests of the people of Newport?
§ Mr. TouhigI can tell my right hon. Friend that the Department of Trade and Industry was informed only this week of the Corus decision, which was made with the breathtaking logic that we have come to expect from that company. It said that it proposed to close the club because it was becoming uneconomic. It was becoming uneconomic because of a lack of usage, and the lack of usage was because Corus was making steelworkers redundant at Llanwern.
629 I will do all that I possibly can to aid my right hon. Friend in his efforts to keep the club and its wonderful sports facilities open, and I will certainly discuss the matter with the First Secretary in Cardiff and other Ministers.