§ 46. Mr. Kinnockasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his estimate of the increase in steelmaking capacity in Scotland, Wales, Yorkshire and Humberside and the northern regions, respectively, by 1983.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanThe development plan for the British Steel Corporation outlined in White Paper Cmnd. 5226 is flexible and the actual increases in capacity by 1983 will depend on market developments. However, the plan provides for net increases in BSC capacity by 1983 of up to 1 million tonnes in Scotland, between 1 million and 2 million tonnes in Wales, about 2 million tonnes in Yorkshire /Humberside and 6 million tonnes or more in the Northern Region. The figure for Wales depends on the future ownership of Brymbo and any replacement for East Moors. Developments in the private sector could add to these totals.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will treat the private sector of the steel industry in reference to the pricing of products in the same way that he proposes to deal with the British Steel Corporation under the recent White Paper; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanBoth sectors will be treated identically except that the provision in paragraph 58 of Cmnd. 5247 relating to the deficits of nationalised industries will apply to the British Steel Corporation in respect of those of its activities which are not subject to our obligations under the Treaty of Paris.