§ Mr. John H. Osbornasked the Secretary of State for Industry when European Community Ministers last discussed demand for steel in EEC countries, respectively and in total, and the problems of overcapacity and of exports to the United States of America; and when Ministers will next be meeting to discuss these matters.
§ Mr. ButcherSpecific steel issues are frequently discussed at meetings of EC Ministers: for example, the problem of exports to the USA was last discussed at the informal meeting of Foreign Ministers on 17 October; and both that issue and steel imports were discussed at the last session of the Foreign Affairs Council, on 20–21 September. The last wide ranging discussion on steel demand and over-capacity took place on 8 June at a Council of Industry Ministers. Specific matters will be discussed in the future as occasion demands. Further discussions on steel problems are likely at the Foreign Affairs Council on 25–26 October and at an informal meeting of Industry Ministers planned for 18 November.
138Wcreate for pensioners and other low income groups. BT proposed an imaginative rebate scheme for low users earlier this year and I hope it will consider this again carefully when it next comes to make tariff proposals.