§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Industry, further to his written reply dated 24 March, Official Report, c. 195, concerning output in the steel industry, if he will estimate the numbers who were employed in the capacity which was closed down over the period in question.
§ Mr. ButcherFrom information as is available, it is estimated that employment fell by around 45,000 as a result of closures of United Kingdom iron and steel making capacity between May 1979 and December 1981.
This figure cannot be related, directly, to the decline in capacity given in the earlier reply. As stated in that reply, capacity figures are available only on an annual average basis. Further, the figures are on a net basis, reflecting not only closures but also the effect of any enhancements of capacity.