§ Mr. Duffyasked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) what consultation has taken place between his Department and the trade unions concerned in talks on the joint venture Phoenix II;
(2) at what stage before the public announcement of a conclusion to the negotiations on the joint venture Phoenix II he expects the management and unions concerned to be notified;
(3) when he expects to announce a conclusion to current talks between public and private steel firms on the joint venture Phoenix II; and if he will make a statement;
(4) which private steel firms in the east end of Sheffield are involved in talks on the Phoenix II joint venture with the British Steel Corporation.
§ Mr. Michael MarshallDiscussions on Phoenix II between interested parties are at an early stage and will take some time to reach a conclusion. I do not think it would be right to disclose the names of all the firms involved in the current informal discussions. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry explained on 9 March., these are delicate commercial negotiations and widespread consultation could jeopardise jobs. It is therefore unlikely to be possible to notify management and unions concerned much in advance of a public announcement of a new joint company, if one can be negotiated.