Mr. Eddie Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much steel was produced in the United Kingdom in 1973; what was the percentage increase over 1972; and if he will give the comparable percentage for the 24 members of the International Iron and Steel Producers, the world steel production, United States of America, Japan and the individual countries of the Common Market.
§ Mr. Anthony Grant26.7 million metric tons, an increase of 5.4 per cent. Preliminary figures compiled by the International Iron and Steel Institute show that world production increased by 10.5 per cent., IISI reporting countries by 13.0 per cent., the United States of America by216W 13.0 per cent., Japan by 23.1 per cent., West Germany by 13.3 per cent., France by 4.9 per cent., Belgium by 6.8 per cent., Luxembourg by 8.6 per cent., and Italy by 5.9 per cent. The Netherlands showed no increase and Denmark a decrease of 13.3 per cent. No figures are available for Eire.
Mr. Eddie Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what tonnage of steel was imported into the United Kingdom during 1973; and if he will analyse the figure by products.
§ Mr. Anthony Grant2.78 million metric tons. The following analysis of main products is taken from Table iii in the December issue ofOverseas Trade Statistics, a copy of which is held in the Library of the House.
SITC (R) headings 000 metric tons 672 (less 672.7) Ingots and other primary forms (less coils for rerolling) 128 672.7 Coils for rerolling 135 673 Bars, rods, angles, shapes, sections 736 674 Universals, plates and sheets 1,307 675 Hoop and strip 76 678.2 Tubes and pipes seamless 60 678.3 Tubes and pipes welded 332
Mr. Eddie Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of total crude steel production in the United Kingdom was produced in plants with a capacity of less than 2 million ingot tonnes/annum, 2 to 4 million tonnes/annum, 4 to 7 million ingot tonnes/annum, 7 to 10 million tonnes/ annum, over 10 million tonnes/annum; and what comparable figures are available for the United States of America, Japan and West Germany for the years 1973, 1975, 1980 and 1985.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantFigures for crude steel production according to size of plant in the United Kingdom are available only in terms of liquid steel tonnes. In 1973 67 per cent. of steel output was produced in plants with a capacity of less than 2 million liquid steel tonnes per annum, while 33 per cent. was produced in plants with a capacity of between 2 and 4 million tonnes. Capacity is defined here as achievable productive capability allowing for plant bottlenecks, maintenance, breakdowns and local disputes.
217WThe percentage of plant with a capacity of less than 4 million tons is expected to decrease sharply over the next decade. The actual distribution of plant by capacity at specific dates will be dependent on the timing of capital developments, which cannot be accurately forecast at this time.
No figures are readily available for the United States of America, Japan and West Germany.
Mr. Eddie Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much steel production was lost in the United Kingdom during 1973; and what were the comparable figures for the United States of America, Japan and West Germany, due to industrial disputes.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantFigures for steel production lost in 1973 due to industrial disputes in the United Kingdom are available only for the British Steel Corporation. The loss amounted to 610,000 metric tons. This was due to disputes within the corporation and excludes losses due to disputes outside the corporation. No comparable figures are available for losses in the United States of America, Japan and West Germany.