§ Mr. Michael Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) what is his estimate of the ability of the United Kingdom steel industry to satisfy the demand for cold reduced sheet steel during the forthcoming six months; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what indication he has had that BSC will be able to satisfy United Kingdom demand for cold sheet steel during the forthcoming six months.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldBritish Steel Corporation has recently been experiencing production difficulties, including the temporary shutdown of the new Llanwern blast furnace, which is now back in operation. The corporation has adequate productive capacity to satisfy prospective demand on it for cold reduced sheet during the next six months and expects to be able to meet such demands.
§ Mr. Michael Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Industry what reports he has received from BSC on forward planning.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldMy Department receives forward planning documents and five-year projections from the corporation. Arrangements were set out in Annex B to the Department of Trade and Industry's memorandum to the Select Committee on Nationalised Industries of 18th April 1972 and further described by my officials to Sub-Committee B of the Select Committee on 12th May 1976.