To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has had with (a) Corus-Tata and (b) Sahaviriya Steel Industries on the future of the Corus plant on Teesside.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has had with (a) Corus-Tata and (b) Sahaviriya Steel Industries on the future of the Corus plant on Teesside.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 8 July 2010, Official Report, columns 522-3, what communications (a) he and (b) his Department has had with (i) Tata Steel Europe and (ii) Corus Europe consequent on the resignation of Kirby Adams as...

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 8 July 2010, Official Report, columns 522-3, what communications (a) he and (b) his Department has had with (i) Tata Steel Europe and (ii) Corus Europe consequent on the resignation of Kirby Adams as...

My right hon. and learned Friend will know that the steel industry faces very difficult times. On Teesside, it is believed that the owner of Corus, Tata, has threatened to close our slab steel mill, which is currently mothballed. Is not it time that the House discussed the steel industry,...

My right hon. and learned Friend will know that the steel industry faces very difficult times. On Teesside, it is believed that the owner of Corus, Tata, has threatened to close our slab steel mill, which is currently mothballed. Is not it time that the House discussed the steel industry,...

I acknowledge all the points that my hon. Friend makes. She is absolutely right in how she characterises the importance of the steel industry, and I shall look for a further opportunity to debate those issues.

I acknowledge all the points that my hon. Friend makes. She is absolutely right in how she characterises the importance of the steel industry, and I shall look for a further opportunity to debate those issues.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills whether the £5 million loan to Corus announced on 25 June 2009 has been (a) partially or (b) fully drawn down by Corus; and whether any assurances relating to jobs in the UK have been received in return.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills whether the £5 million loan to Corus announced on 25 June 2009 has been (a) partially or (b) fully drawn down by Corus; and whether any assurances relating to jobs in the UK have been received in return.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps the Government plans to take to secure the future of Corus in the North East.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps the Government plans to take to secure the future of Corus in the North East.

Corus in Scunthorpe has today announced a further 360 job cuts. That comes on top of 500 job cuts that were announced recently. Given the severe impact on the steel industry in Scunthorpe, and indeed nationally, will my right hon. and learned Friend ask the Business Secretary to have urgent...

Corus in Scunthorpe has today announced a further 360 job cuts. That comes on top of 500 job cuts that were announced recently. Given the severe impact on the steel industry in Scunthorpe, and indeed nationally, will my right hon. and learned Friend ask the Business Secretary to have urgent...

My right hon. Friend makes important points on behalf of his constituents. There will be a Minister from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills at the Dispatch Box later this afternoon, responding to the topical debate on manufacturing in Britain.

My right hon. Friend makes important points on behalf of his constituents. There will be a Minister from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills at the Dispatch Box later this afternoon, responding to the topical debate on manufacturing in Britain.

Westminster hall adjournment debate on the steel industry.

Westminster hall adjournment debate on the steel industry.

Will the Minister give way?

Will the Minister give way?

I accept the Minister's point—it was a good point—but does she accept the concern, raised by many hon. Members, about the lack of competitiveness of energy prices, particularly in this country? Why has that not been tackled until now? Why did we wait until it became a crisis?

I accept the Minister's point—it was a good point—but does she accept the concern, raised by many hon. Members, about the lack of competitiveness of energy prices, particularly in this country? Why has that not been tackled until now? Why did we wait until it became a crisis?

As always, Sir Nicholas, it is a great pleasure to serve under your chairmanship. I congratulate my right hon. Friend the Member for Rotherham (Mr. MacShane) on securing what is, as has been recognised, a very important debate. He demonstrated his considerable expertise in the matter as well as concern...

As always, Sir Nicholas, it is a great pleasure to serve under your chairmanship. I congratulate my right hon. Friend the Member for Rotherham (Mr. MacShane) on securing what is, as has been recognised, a very important debate. He demonstrated his considerable expertise in the matter as well as concern...

That point has been put to me in representations from the industry. It has asked me, "Is this an issue? We can't get a commitment from Ministers." I hope, therefore, that the Minister will make that commitment today. However, I agree with the right hon. Gentleman that we have had...

That point has been put to me in representations from the industry. It has asked me, "Is this an issue? We can't get a commitment from Ministers." I hope, therefore, that the Minister will make that commitment today. However, I agree with the right hon. Gentleman that we have had...

I have been in dialogue with Lord Mandelson's Department—I cannot remember its name because it keeps changing—and know that he has taken a very deep interest in the Sheffield steel industry. Will the hon. Gentleman please tell me where his perception comes from?

I have been in dialogue with Lord Mandelson's Department—I cannot remember its name because it keeps changing—and know that he has taken a very deep interest in the Sheffield steel industry. Will the hon. Gentleman please tell me where his perception comes from?

It is good, Sir Nicholas, to see you in the Chair. May I add my words of commendation to the right hon. Member for Rotherham (Mr. MacShane) for securing what has been a timely debate and for his typically forthright remarks. Although our views of history may not be entirely...

It is good, Sir Nicholas, to see you in the Chair. May I add my words of commendation to the right hon. Member for Rotherham (Mr. MacShane) for securing what has been a timely debate and for his typically forthright remarks. Although our views of history may not be entirely...

The hon. Lady makes a good point, but there are other ways to protect skills. The Government have announced £5 million to be spent on enabling skills to be retained. In the context of the thousands of jobs that we are talking about, it is something of a drop in...

The hon. Lady makes a good point, but there are other ways to protect skills. The Government have announced £5 million to be spent on enabling skills to be retained. In the context of the thousands of jobs that we are talking about, it is something of a drop in...