HC Deb 05 March 1984 vol 55 c404W
Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total amount of Government support for the steel industry in the west midlands.

Mr. Norman Lamont

As at 29 February 1984 the total amount of financial assistance offered under the private sector steel scheme and the steel castings industry reconstruction agreement to the private sector steel industry in the west midlands region was £7.4 million. The British Steel Corporation has four works in the west midlands which share in the financial support given by the Government to the corporation as a whole.

Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which steelworks in the west midlands are linked with phoenix 2; and which of these are to be closed.

Mr. Norman Lamont

The companies concerned with a possible phoenix 2 project have presented the Government with outline proposals. These are commercially confidential. Any plant closures would in any case be matters for the companies.