§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give a general direction to the British Steel Corporation to restrict its investment in steel making in South Africa, in order to conserve work prospects in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanNo. I understand the British Steel Corporation has no present intention of investing in steelmaking in South Africa. However, the Government would be involved if the British Steel Corporation proposed to establish a steelmaking plant overseas, and would have fully in mind the interests of United Kingdom steelmaking areas.
§ Mr. Carter Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in view of concern among its employees, he will give a general direction to the British Steel Corporation to ensure that its investment decisions are not based on the power and ownership structure of the industry before nationalisation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanNo. The British Steel Corporation's investment decisions are aimed at producing a modern, efficient and profitable industry for the future, which will be able to provide secure employment for its workforce. The decisions are not based on the power and ownership structure of the past.