HC Deb 01 February 1980 vol 977 c815W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will propose to the European Economic Community a common iron and steel policy on the lines of the common agricultural policy; and why steel is treated less favourably than agriculture in the policies pursued by Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Michael Marshall

The ECSC treaty already covers this field. Within its terms, there are in operation a range of Community measures to help to deal with the problems of the steel industry and the consequences of steel closures. As regards the latter, the United Kingdom along with France, is the major beneficiary.