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Regional Economy (Tackling the Recession)

As the matter is in the public domain—I must be careful not to say things that are not in the public domain—I can say that there is on offer to Corus a training package that is compliant with the state aid rules. However, the core problem is to get the cost of production close to the world market price so that it is effectively a question about the market rather than about state aid. The Government are in continuing dialogue with the owners as well as the local management to see if they can do something to help. I have to say, to the disappointment of the right hon. Gentleman, that public ownership would breach state aid rules. Even if it did not, we have to ask ourselves—and we should all think about this—whether we can solve this if the core problem was the cost of production relating to the world market. The good news is that world market conditions are changing in our favour, and the fight is to ensure that the plant survives and gets through to the better market conditions that seem to be emerging. However, we are not there yet. I assure everyone here that the only people—or groups of people—who are working harder than myself are the management of the company itself. Incidentally, I also include the owners, who have taken steps that will positively help the survival of the plant on Teesside. Moreover, my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Redcar has thrown herself into this important issue with an energy, depth of knowledge and a deep sense of detail. That is utterly praiseworthy, and she has the support of her colleagues.