Category 4 Steel Imports: Tariff-free Quotas

Lord Wigley Excerpts

Wednesday 22nd July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Leong (Lab)]

I will first address the issue on British Steel, which I am sure is what the noble Lord is referring to. We took British Steel into public ownership immediately after we passed the Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Act. As it stands, under the Act, we will appoint an independent valuer to assess the compensation, if any, that is due. As far as we know, it is zero compensation and that is where it stands. As for his question on the Chinese embassy, I am not aware of that, but I will find out and write to him.

[Lord Wigley (PC)]

My Lords, the Minister will be aware, from our earlier discussion on the steel legislation that went through this House, of my concern relating to the availability of steel for defence purposes. Can he give an assurance that in considering these changes the Government have given full attention to the reliability and dependability of supplies for defence purposes, particularly in circumstances where the defence pressures may be different from our current peacetime ones?

[Lord Leong (Lab)]

I remember our exchanges across the Dispatch Box. As I said then, I will say now that we are mindful of the specialised steel used in any of the industries that require a speciality type of steel. We will monitor the usage but, as it stands, any steel that is not manufactured in this country—which is imported—is outside the scope of the tariff.