Steel (Hansard, 21 November 1977)

§ 22. Mr. William Hamilton
asked the Secretary of Sate for Industry if he will make a statement on the future of the Scottish steel industry.

§ Mr. Les Huckfield
I would refer my hon. Friend to my answer to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Taylor) on 17th November 1977.—[Vol. 939, c.308–309.]

§ 24. Mr. John H. Osborn
asked the Secretary of State for Industry what discussions he is having with the British Steel Corporation, the EEC Commission, and world steel producers, including Japan and the United States of America, to avoid price cutting and dumping, securing improvements in productivity, and maintaining employment within the United Kingdom.

§ Mr. Les Huckfield
My right hon. Friend is in close touch with the British 547W Steel Corporation on all important mat-terms affecting it. The problems of the steel industry are being discussed today by the Council of Ministers, which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade is attending. Multilateral discussions on steel have been organised by the OECD; the United Kingdom is taking part.

§ Mr. John H. Osborn
asked the Secretary of State for Industry, what is now the rate of output of mild steel, by cate-

DELIVERIES OF FINISHED NON-ALLOY STEEL

'000 tonnes

First half 1972 First half 1976 First half 1977

Home production Imports Exports Home production Imports Exports Home production Imports Exports

Ingots, blooms, billets and slabs 207 — 64 234 — 65 322 — 158

Plates 3mm. thick and over 1,327 142 284 1,076 267 154 1,016 219 162

Other heavy rolled products 1,127 18 261 976 48 283 974 56 279

Light rolled products 1,847 335 329 2,023 204 428 1,961 203 607

Bright steel bars 208 — 17 237 3 19 254 4 25

Hot and cold rolled strip 475 27 32 436 28 24 440 32 29

Sheet, hot rolled and cold reduced 2,151 369 680 1,346 658 225 1,304 465 303

Tinplate and black-plate 659 — 160 561 91 103 645 65 132

Tubes and pipes 699 68 172 612 273 147 590 177 176

Other finished steel 127 1 16 146 3 18 129 3 13

Total 8,828 960 2,015 7,647 1,575 1,467 7,635 1,225 1,884

Source: Iron and Steel Statistics Bureau.

DELIVERIES OF FINISHED NON-ALLOY STEEL
'000 tonnes
	First half 1972	First half 1976	First half 1977
	Home production	Imports	Exports	Home production	Imports	Exports	Home production	Imports	Exports
Ingots, blooms, billets and slabs	207	—	64	234	—	65	322	—	158
Plates 3mm. thick and over	1,327	142	284	1,076	267	154	1,016	219	162
Other heavy rolled products	1,127	18	261	976	48	283	974	56	279
Light rolled products	1,847	335	329	2,023	204	428	1,961	203	607
Bright steel bars	208	—	17	237	3	19	254	4	25
Hot and cold rolled strip	475	27	32	436	28	24	440	32	29
Sheet, hot rolled and cold reduced	2,151	369	680	1,346	658	225	1,304	465	303
Tinplate and black-plate	659	—	160	561	91	103	645	65	132
Tubes and pipes	699	68	172	612	273	147	590	177	176
Other finished steel	127	1	16	146	3	18	129	3	13
Total	8,828	960	2,015	7,647	1,575	1,467	7,635	1,225	1,884