§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether steps are contemplated to assist both public and private steel companies which are still adversely affected by the high price of electricity compared with manufacturers in Europe.
§ Mr. Norman LamontSteel plants in the public and private sectors are among those benefiting from the measures of additional flexibility in their pricing arrangements introduced by the electricity boards, following the Chancellor's Budget Statement. I am of course aware of the concern about electricity prices to large intensive users and am keeping the position under review.