HC Deb 18 March 1985 vol 75 cc343-4W
Miss Boothroyd

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what representations he has received concerning the scrap metal industry during the last 12 months.

Mr. Butcher

My Department has received letters from some 60 undertakings complaining about the price of ferrous scrap and calling for the imposition of export controls. The Minister of State for Industry has recently held discussions with both the British Independent Steel Producers Association and the British Scrap Federation.

Miss Boothroyd

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has any plans to introduce export controls on scrap metal as a raw material.

Mr. Butcher

No. National controls would be ineffective. United Kingdom scrap would merely be shipped to other member states and then exported to third countries.