§ 13. Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will arrange to meet the trade union representatives of workers in the steel industry.
§ 26. Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Industry when he proposes to meet trade union leaders of the steel industry.
§ 29. Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Industry what latest discussions he has had with representatives of those involved in the steel strike.
§ Sir Keith JosephI have had two meetings recently with representatives of the steel unions. I have no plans for further meetings.
§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Industry what was the unit labour cost of producing a ton of steel in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, the USA and Japan in dollar terms in 1973, 1974, 1978 and in the third quarter of 1979.
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§ Mr. David MitchellThis information is not available.
§ Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Industry what effect the current steel strike has had upon manufacturing industry to date and what assessment he has made of the likely repercussions if it continues through February.
§ Mr. Michael MarshallIn the weeks ended 12 and 19 January, it is estimated that production in manufacturing industry was about 2–3 per cent. less than it would have been in the absence of the BSC dispute. Most of this loss of output was attributable to the lack of production at BSC itself. The repercussions of a prolonged strike could be very serious for industry and for the country, as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State made clear to the House on 22 January.
§ Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Indusry what discussions he has had with the chairman of the British Steel Corporation since his statement to the House on Monday 14 January on the steel strike.
§ Mr. Michael MarshallTogether with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Employment and Industry, the Prime Minister had discussions with the chairman of the British Steel Corporation on 21 January.
§ Mr. John H. Osbornasked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) if he will tabulate in the Official Report the tonnage and value of steel produced by the private sector of the steel industry and British Steel Corporation, respectively, and in total by categories recognised by his Department, together with a comparison with consumption and amounts and value exported and imported for each of the last 10 years;
(2) if he will tabulate in the Official Report from information available to him, the tonnage and value of steel produced by the British Steel Corporation and the private sector of the steel industry, respectively, and in total, broken down into the categories recognised by his department, including bulk steel, construction and engineering steels, stainless steels, heat resisting steels, tool and die steels, and high speed steels for each of the past 10 years.
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§ Mr. Michael MarshallI will reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.