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Regional Economy (Tackling the Recession)

I hear everything that the Minister is saying. I support every word that my hon. Friend the Member for Stockton, South (Ms Taylor) said. Moreover, I recognise and praise my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Redcar (Vera Baird) for doing such a great job and for all the efforts that she has made in trying to persuade the consortium people to come back to the table, but Tata has poured £750 million into Corus. In my discussions with Tata, which have been held at different times over the past year or so, it has said, ““We are here for the long haul. We have poured £8 billion into the plant so that it should not be closed down.”” It has a very strong commitment. I have no doubt that it wants to stay, but it is looking for support from Government because it feels that they are not doing enough. However unfair that seems, that is Tata’s perception. I know that Mr. Muthuraman, the managing director, has said that. The Minister should try to have discussions with Mr. Muthuraman and take up the case with him directly so that he can demonstrate all that the Government are doing.