Steel Industry
Debate between Marion Fellows and Margaret Ferrier(9 years, 6 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Margaret Ferrier
No.
The force involves multiple stakeholders of various political persuasions, as well as those of none.
Marion Fellows
Does my hon. Friend agree that the trade unions, especially Community, have been fundamental in keeping the two Scottish plants going this far, and that this has been recognised by the Scottish Government, unlike by the Conservative party, which seeks—
UK Steel Industry
Debate between Marion Fellows and Margaret Ferrier(9 years, 7 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text
Margaret Ferrier
The hon. Gentleman is incorrect. There was a bid process, and that was the result. [Interruption.] Yes, the Chinese won that process.
Marion Fellows (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)
May I clear up this point? Yes, the Chinese won that steel contract, but Tata Steel did not bid; that is a fact.
Margaret Ferrier
I thank my hon. Friend for that intervention.
Furthermore, the UK has trading barriers with the USA. Six steel producers in the US filed petitions for the imposition of anti-dumping measures on hot-rolled and cold-rolled coil imports from countries including the UK and the Netherlands.
Exports are an increasingly important part of the UK steel industry’s strategy, given the current weak European demand. Manufacturing in Scotland has shifted focus in recent years with heavy industries such as shipbuilding and iron and steel declining in importance and in their contribution to the economy. It is generally argued that this has been in response to increasing globalisation and competition from low-cost producers across the world, as well as the privatisation of the manufacturing industries.