UK Steel Industry

Mark Tami Excerpts

Monday 29th February 2016 Commons Chamber

[Ms Eagle]

My hon. Friend is exactly right. I could not agree more about the strategic importance of foundation industries, of which steel is a key one.

[Mark Tami (Alyn and Deeside) (Lab)]

Shotton steelworks, which produces “galv” and coated products, relies on Port Talbot for its supply of steel. Although Shotton is a profitable plant, if Port Talbot were to go, it would not be easy to find a good-quality supplier of steel at the drop of a hat.

[Ms Eagle]

Exactly. My hon. Friend supports his constituents, and he knows exactly what is at stake if the Government fail to protect the fundamentals of this foundation industry.

--- Later in debate ---

[Sajid Javid]

When it comes to the steel industry, there are many different types of products and there is no one single tariff that we are looking at. Where appropriate, we are pushing the EU Commission where we think it has not applied the existing rules properly, not just for higher tariffs, but for much speedier action.

[Mark Tami]

Does the Secretary of State not understand that the clock is ticking and the industry does not have long left? Millions of pounds are being lost each day and it is no good him standing there saying, “Well, I’ve said this and that about next week and the week after.” There may not be a week after.

[Sajid Javid]

The hon. Gentleman makes an important point, but he should also accept that if the entire debate on trade and trade protection in the EU becomes about the lesser duty rule, it will take away from the time and effort required to use the existing rules more effectively.