HC Deb 16 January 1978 vol 942 cc68-9W
16. Mr. Biffen

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on the future investment plans of the British Steel Corporation.

Mr. Varley

Future investment by the British Steel Corporation is among the topics included in the current discussions between the Corporation, the Government and the trade unions. I cannot anticipate any decisions which might be reached in those discussions.

Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will set up a public inquiry into the control, management, accountability and performance of the British Steel Corporation.

Mr. Les Huckfield

These matters were considered by Sub-Committee B of the Select Committee on Nationalised Industries.

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement regarding the British Steel Corporation's circular letter of 20th December 1977 to steel stockholders requiring them to give an undertaking to purchase 95 per cent. of their stocks from British Steel Corporation-European Coal and Steel Community producers and to sell these and all other steel products, regardless of their source, at prices based on British Steel Corporation price lists; and if he will assess the increased cost of this requirement to steel users in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Les Huckfield

This is a matter for the Corporation.

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