§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he can give an assurance that the retiring chairman of the steel board will not be receiving a golden handshake on retirement.
§ Mr. Michael MarshallThe appointment of Sir Charles Villiers was due to end on 9 September 1980. It has been agreed that he will continue to be paid until that date and his pension entitlement440W will then commence. No other special arrangements are envisaged.
§ Dr. McDonaldasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he consulted the chairman-designate about the proposed cash limits for the British Steel Corporation.
§ Sir Keith JosephNo. The cash limit of £450 million for 1980/81 was announced in November 1979.
§ Dr. McDonaldasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he has laid down guidelines for the chairman-designate's policy decisions for the British Steel Corporation over the next three years.
§ Sir Keith JosephMr. MacGregor's task as chairman of BSC will be to ensure that the corporation achieves enduring profitability. It will be for Mr. Mac-Gregor to decide how to achieve this objective in the light of the external financing limits and financial targets set by the Government.
§ Dr. McDonaldasked the Secretary of State for Industry if the chairman-designate will be free to carry out a thorough review of all the proposed redundancies in the British Steel Corporation.
§ Sir Keith JosephThis is a matter for the British Steel Corporation under the present chairman until 30 June and under the new chairman after that.
§ Dr. McDonaldasked the Secretary of State for Industry if the chairman-designate has accepted the terms of the corporate plan for the British Steel Corporation agreed by his predecessor.
§ Sir Keith JosephThe chairman-designate has not yet had adequate opportunity to consider the corporation's plans.