§ 24. Mr. Homewoodasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether, pursuant to section 4(5)(b) of the Iron and Steel Act 1975, he will direct the British Steel Corporation to offer its plants at Corby and Shotton for purchase by a private buyer.
§ Mr. Michael MarshallNo. My right hon. Friend has no power under this subsection either to require or to prevent the disposal to private interests of assets used in iron and steel-making activities.
§ 25. Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Industry what eventual total steel making capacity is envisaged for the British Steel Corporation under the Davignon proposals.
§ Mr. Adam ButlerThe Davignon proposals do not embody a specific figure for the steel-making capacity either of the BSC or of any other Community producer. It is fundamental to the Commission's restructuring proposals that total capacity in the Community should be reduced to bring it into line with demand.
§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a 455W statement on the future of the United Kingdom steel industry.
§ Mr. Michael Marshall[pursuant to his reply, 7 December 1979, c. 352…: Our objective is an efficient, competitive and profitable British steel industry in both public and private sectors in the 1980s. I am aware that both sectors are facing considerable difficulty at present but our policies are designed to create an economic climate in which they can achieve these objectives.