§ 25. Mr. Michael Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Industry how many civil servants in his Department are concerned with the British Steel Corporation's quarterly annual and five-year operating and planning agreements.
§ Mr. MeacherThere are currently 24 officials in the Iron and Steel Division of my Department of higher executive officer or equivalent level or above. They are all concerned with various aspects of the British Steel Corporation's activities in addition to other responsibilties on steel. They call, as necessary, on specialist advice from economists, accountants and business management experts in other parts of the Department.
§ Mr. Kimballasked the Secretary of State for industry if, in view of the fact that the British Steel Corporation is sole supplier of the raw material for the manufacture of stainless steel parts for the motor industry, he will give a general direction to the corporation on the confidential nature of information provided by its customers and ensure that this is not made available to rival firms.
§ Mr. Meacher:No. I am confident that the corporation observes the normal practices relating to commercial confidentiality in dealing with its customers.