HC Deb 05 July 1971 vol 820 cc241-4W
59. Mr. Leadbitter

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what price increases have been announced during the past 12 months in the nationalised industries with which his Department is concerned.

Mr. Ridley

Following is the information:

Steel Community Treaty and its implementing regulations which was handed to the United Kingdom representatives at the 19th Meeting of the Conference at deputy level on 4th and 5th May, 1971.

64. Mr. Swain

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what communications he has received from the European Coal and Steel Community conveying its views as to the provisions and practices in the British steel industry which are contrary to the European Coal and Steel Community treaty and regulations.

89. Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will publish a list of the provisions and practices existing in the British coal industry which are contrary to the European Coal and Steel Community treaty and its regulations;

(2) what details the European Coal and Steel Community has given to him of the provisions and practices to which the National Coal Board must conform, assuming British entry into the European Economic Community;

(3) what communications he has received from the European Coal and Steel Community conveying its views as to the provisions and practices in the United Kingdom coal industry which are contrary to the European Coal and Steel Community treaty and its regulations.

Mr. Swain

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what provisions of the Steel Nationalisation Act are contrary to the provisions of the European Coal and Steel Community treaty and regulations; and whether he will issue a White Paper containing a list of those items.

Mr. John Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what memorandum the European Economic Community has delivered to Her Majesty's Government to the effect that Her Majesty's Government would require to relinquish the power to give general directives to the National Coal Board upon entry to the European Economic Community; and what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on this matter.

Mr. John Davies

I regret that it is not possible to publish Brussels Conference documents. This matter will, however, be dealt with in the forthcoming White Paper on Europe.

90. Mr. Swain

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether investments in the steel industry will continue to be approved by him, assuming the United Kingdom enters the European Coal and Steel Community.

Mr. John Davies

I shall continue to approve the Corporation's general programme of investment.

Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish a White Paper on the effects that the European Coal and Steel Community treaty and its regulations will have on the British coal industry, assuming that the United Kingdom enters the European Coal and Steel Community.

Mr. John Davies

A section on coal and steel will be included in the White Paper to be published shortly.

Mr. Swain

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what effect entry into the European Coal and Steel Community would have on the borrowing powers of the National Coal Board.

Mr. John Davies

It would not affect the Board's existing borrowing powers. The Board would, however, in addition be able to take advantage of the lending facilities of the European Commission, including loans for capital investment and loans at low rates of interest for housing projects for coal miners.

Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the average payment made per worker rendered redundant in the coal-mining, iron-ore mining and iron and steel industries between 1967–68 and 1969–70 under the European Coal and Steel Community's social plan.

Mr. Noble

Commitments* incurred by the Commission† for assistance under Article 56.2 of the Treaty of Paris were as follows:

Calendar year Number of workers aided Total Commitment (units of account) Approx. average Commitment per head(units of account)
1967 55,307 18,986,745 343
1968 42,748 12,968,266 303
1969 30,978 26,462,292 855
NOTES:
* These figures are not payments made during the year in question, but commitments incurred. These can last for more than one year.
† In each case the Commission's contribution must at least be matched by the member state