§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the Government's forecast of changes in employment levels in the British steel industry over the next year. [20893]
§ Mrs. Beckett[holding answer 15 December 1997]: This is a diverse industry with many companies, the great majority of which do not themselves publish predictions about future employment. In these circumstances, the Government make no such forecast. Indeed, no Government have ever produced forecasts of levels of employment in the private sector.