HC Deb 25 October 1973 vol 861 cc696-9W
Mr. Leadbitter

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the Common Market regulations, directives and agreements and the powers of control of the Common Market Commissioners which restrict the investment programme of the British Steel Corporation and its levels of production and prices, and limit the authority of the BSC and Her Majesty's Government to make their own decisions about the future policy for steel in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Tom Boardman

The treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community and all the implementing decisions have already been published and are available in the Library.

Mr. Leadbitter

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the prices of United Kingdom-produced steel and the prices of similar steels in the rest of the Common Market.

BSC prices=100
Product BSC West Germany France Italy Belgium Netherlands Denmark Luxembourg
Billets 100 159 136 125 130
Medium Plates 100 159 148 140 148 137 140 179
Boiler Plates 100 177 165 144 166 159 153
Beams Structural 100 152 137 152 151 161
Steel for Reinforcement 100 146 134 159 160 164 150 160
Hot Rolled Strip 100 143 124 135 135 140 150
Hot Rolled Coil 100 142 120 137 140 138

Mr. Leadbitter

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate has been made of total demand for steel in the United Kingdom for 1974.

Mr. Emery

No precise estimates are available. It is expected that demand will continue at a high level throughout 1974.

January-August January-August
1972 1972 1973
Million tonnes
Netherlands 0.39 0.24 0.25
Japan 0.33 0.23 0.12
Belgium/Luxembourg 0.30 0.18 0.18
Spain 0.29 0.24 0.05
Federal Republic of Germany 0.29 0.14 0.34
Sweden 0.22 0.14 0.15
Norway 0.13 0.09 0.08
France 0.11 0.07 0.06
Others 0.60 0.34 0.49
TOTAL 2.66 1.67 1.72

Mr. Leadbitter

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much steel is exported currently and to which countries.

Mr. Emery

In 1972, 4.62 million tonnes of steel were exported. During

Mr. Emery

The following table provided by the British Steel Corporation compares home trade prices in the countries of the European Communities with British Steel Corporation prices on 1st October 1973. It does not cover prices charged by United Kingdom private sector steel producers.

Mr. Leadbitter

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much steel is imported, and from which countries.

Mr. Emery

In 1972 2.66 million tonnes of steel were imported. During the first eight months of 1973, 1.72 million tonnes were imported. The following countries supplied over 0.10 million tonnes in 1972:

the first eight months of 1973, 2.81 million tonnes were exported. Although in the period shown exports have increased slightly, those made by BSC show a slight reduction on actual exports in 1972 and a considerable reduction on planned exports.

The following countries received over 0.10 million tonnes in 1972:

January-August January-August
1972 1972 1973
Million tonnes
U.S.A 1.07 0.58 0.57
Spain 0.42 0.19 0.16
India 0.31 0.20 0.13
Sweden 0.20 0.12 0.15
Argentina 0.18 0.10 0.07
Irish Republic 0.16 0.10 0.12
Canada 0.14 0.08 0.09
Norway 0.14 0.08 0.09
U.S.S.R 0.12 0.06 0.06
West Germany 0.11 0.05 0.12
Denmark 0.11 0.07 0.08
Other 1.66 1.13 1.17
TOTAL 4.62 2.76 2.81