§ Mr. Lambieasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will set up an inquiry in his Department to investigate the reasons for the delay in starting the construction of the British Steel Corporation direct reduction plants at Hunterston, Ayrshire; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. KaufmanSuch an inquiry is unnecessary. BSC's proposal to construct two direct reduction plants at Hunterston was endorsed in the parliamentary statement on Scottish closures which my right hon. Friend made on 6th August. The Corporation is now well advanced in its preparations for construction work. Planning approval for the project is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) what agreement has been reached by the EEC Commission and Japan concerning imports of steel, including stainless steel, into the European Community; and how such an agreement will affect the United Kingdom market for steel;
(2) what agreement has been reached by the EEC Commission and Spain concerning imports of steel into the European Community; and how such an agreement will affect the United Kingdom market for steel.
§ Mr. KaufmanI am advised that there have been informal exchanges between the European Commission and Japan and Spain designed to encourage self-restraint in the volume of their exports to the 481W European Community. Any progress in this direction will benefit the United Kingdom steel industry.