§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what information he received on 4 June concerning the plate mill review in British Steel; what subsequent representations were made by the Scottish Office; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will detail the meetings he, his junior Ministers or his officials have had with the chairman or officials of British Steel from the beginning of June 1991; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Allan Stewart[holding answer 5 July 1991]: My right hon. Friend and I last met the chairman of British Steel on 4 June, when we were told in strict confidence of the company's decision to invest in new plate facilities at Teesside.
§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what statements he has made to the British Steel chairman about his policy on the plate mill closure;
(2) what public statements he has made on the future of plate-making facilities at Dalzell; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Allan Stewart[holding answer 5 July 1991]: It would not be appropriate to disclose details of my right hon. Friend's discussions with the chairman of British Steel which are bound by commercial confidentiality. But we have consistently pressed British Steel over a long period, publicly and in private, to give full consideration to the case for investment at Dalzell.