Written question asked by Helen Jackson (Labour) on Monday, 28 February 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 3 March 2005. It was answered by Patricia Hewitt (Labour) on Thursday, 3 March 2005 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on prospects for the steel industry. (Failed OPQ).

Answer: Helen Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on prospects for the steel industry. [219462] Ms Hewitt: After a period of very difficult trading conditions, prospects for the UK steel industry are now good. Deliveries by UK producers increased by 9.6 per cent. over the last year. In September 2004, Corus announced that it had made a profit for the first time since the company was formed in 1999.

Secondary information