§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what advice he has received from the EEC Commission about overcapacity in the steel industry; and what action will be taken about this advice.
§ Mr. Atkins[holding answer 10 May 1988]The European Commission has estimated that overcapacity in the European Coal and Steel Community steel industry amounts to some 30 million tonnes, of which around 20 million tonnes is accounted for by flat products and heavy sections. The Council of Industry Ministers agreed on 22 December 1987 that unless guaranteed undertakings to reduce this overcapacity were forthcoming by 10 June, ECSC production quotas would end on 30 June. For full details I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. and learned Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Northfield (Mr. King) on 12 January,Official Report, columns 215–17.