§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will estimate the consequences for the British steel industry of the European Commission's restructuring proposals; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards EC proposals (a) for additional support for closure costs in the steel industry and (b) for additional restructuring; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Sainsbury[holding answer 24 February 1993]: The Government and British steel industry are in broad agreement that the Commission proposals for restructuring the EC steel industry, including use of European Coal and Steel Community financial resources to provide additional support for the social costs of permanent closures are a positive response to the problems facing the industry. I shall be discussing the Commission's proposals with my EC colleagues today.