§ 29. Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations he has had with the British Steel Corporation about the future of the steel industry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EmeryAn agreed strategy for the development of the British Steel Corporation was published in the White Paper (Cmnd. 5226) in February 1973. I and my right hon. Friends are in regular consultation with the corporation on problems arising in the implementation of that strategy.
§ 35. Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in the light of national and international steel shortages, he proposes alterations in the Government's steel strategy as outlined in the 1973 White Paper.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe British Steel Corporation's development strategy, as outlined in the White Paper (Cmnd. 5226), provides for a continuing planning process with flexibility to meet market and other changes.
§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the details of the EEC's latest policy as it applies to re-adoption assistance which eases the personal and financial problems of those who are made redundant in the steel industry; what discussions he has had with the European Commission; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanArticle 56 of the Treaty of Paris sets out the general conditions under which aid from Community funds can be provided to help redundant 299W and redeployed steelworkers and specifies the forms of benefit which may be paid. As stated in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Cheadle (Mr. Normanton) on 2nd November.—[Vol. 863, c. 39.]—the Government have concluded an agreement with the European Commission under which such help will be afforded to steelworkers in the United Kingdom who qualify under Article 56 and regulations enabling these benefits to be paid will be laid before Parliament in due course.