§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations she has received from trade unions regarding the future of employment in the steel industry in the light of the United States imposition of tariffs on steel imports. [141870]
§ Jacqui SmithMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and DTI Ministerial colleagues have met with representatives of the relevant steel trade unions on a number of occasions to discuss a range of issues affecting the UK steel industry, including the US Section 201 tariffs on steel imports. It would be difficult to calculate in a meaningful way what impact 261W these measures would have on future employment in isolation from other factors. However we have been working hard to get these tariffs lifted, and as a result the US Administration announced on 4 December that it had decided to implement the recent WTO Appellate Body ruling by removing the steel safeguards. This is good news for the UK steel industry and everyone who works in it.