§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Industry if the United Kingdom has agreed to France being permitted to freeze its domestic steel prices under the European Economic Community arrangements requiring member States to increase steel prices; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButcherWhilst the introduction of price rises designed to return steel prices to viable levels is a major objective of the Community's anti-crisis regime, there is no binding Community requirement to enforce minimum price levels.
Following discussions with the Commission the French have agreed to implement the 1 July price increase. In order to avoid undermining the current price freeze in France, they will give rebates to domestic consumers. I understand that these rebates are to be of only limited duration, but Her Majesty's Government will continue to follow developments closely. The rebates are not to be given on exports, and the French have undertaken not to increase their share of their domestic market.