§ Mr. Terry FieldsTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had on proposals or decisions to close existing capacity in British Steel in Great Britain.
§ Mr. Leigh[holding answer 16 December 1991]: Any such proposals or decisions are a matter for the board of British Steel. My right hon. Friend meets the chairman of British Steel from time to time, but their discussions are confidential.
§ Mr. Terry FieldsTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the 113Wf effect British Steel's investment plans overseas will have on capacity in specific areas of production in Britain with regard to general steels.
§ Mr. Leigh[holding answer 16 December 1991]: None. Such matters are for the board of British Steel and the industry itself.
§ Mr. Terry FieldsTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has on British Steel's plans with regard to existing capacity utilisation over the next 12 months and for continuing production at(a) Scunthorpe, (b) Ravenscraig, (c) Dalzell and (d) Llanwern.
§ Mr. Leigh[holding answer 16 December 1991]: Such information as British Steel have published in its annual reports. Investment has continued at Llanwern, where a new hot dip galvanising line was commissioned last year. British Steel is considering investment in a new plate mill facility at Teeside, which would replace in due course the existing plate mills at Dalzell and Scunthorpe, but no final decision has yet been taken. Production of steel will continue at Ravenscraig until at least 1994, subject to economic and commercial conditions and the demand for steel slab.