§ Mr. Bowen Wellsasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make representations to the European Economic Community to prevent the implementation of article 58 in a way prejudicial to British steel producers, in the light of the case of the steel firm of Darlington and Simpson's rolling mills; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael MarshallThe steel production quota system established by the Commission with Council approval under article 58 of the ECSC Treaty provides for flexibility in its application by the Commission to deal with exceptional difficulties.
In the last quarter of 1980 and the first quarter of this year Darlington and Simpson's difficulties were resolved by an additional allocation from the Commission and by the transfer of surplus entitlements from United Kingdom producers. I understand that efforts are well in hand to see whether a satisfactory solution can again be found.