§ Mr. Raymond Fletcher(1) asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what assessment she has made of the rise in unemployment in the Alfreton area of Derbyshire as a consequence of the impending closure of Riddings Ironworks; and if she will make a statement;
(2) asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps to give the Alfreton area of Derbyshire development area status in view of the impending closure of Riddings Ironworks and the consequential rise in local unemployment; and if he will make a statement;
(3) asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what steps he is taking to deal with the economic consequences of the impending closure of the Riddings Ironworks in Derbyshire; what recommendations have been made by the Regional Planning Council; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ShoreI have been asked to reply to Questions 18 and 80.
The British Steel Corporation last week entered into consultation with the unions about its proposal to close these works. The closure, if confirmed as a result of these consultations, will not take place before the end of July this year.
I understand that the Corporation is hopeful, allowing for normal wastage and full advantage being taken of vacancies available at its works at Stanton and Staveley, that all but a few redundancies can be avoided.