British Steel Corporation

HC Deb 01 March 1988 vol 128 c516W

Mr. Holt

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what has been the increase in the productivity of the British Steel Corporation since 1979.

Mr. Atkins

The figures for BSC in respect of European Coal and Steel Community treaty activities are as follows:

Man hours per tonne liquid steel
Year
1979–80	13.2
1980–81	14.5
1981–82	9.4
1982–83	9.3
1983–84	7.1
1984–85	7.0
1985–86	6.3
1986–87	6.2
1987–88	n/a

Source: British Steel Report and Accounts 1986–87.

Mr. Roy Hughes

To ask We Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received on the future of British Steel's pension scheme.

Mr. Atkins

I have received a number of representations from individual pensioners and employees of BSC seeking clarification of the position after privatisation. Both the Government and the corporation are well aware of the concern of those affected by this issue and we hope it will be possible to clarify the position shortly. It has, of course, been the experience of previous privatisations that satisfactory arrangements have been made on this point.