UK Steel Industry Debate

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UK Steel Industry

Mike Kane Excerpts
Monday 11th April 2016

(8 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Sajid Javid Portrait Sajid Javid
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When it comes to tariffs, what I am interested in is what actually works. I encourage the hon. Gentleman to study the results—to look at the action the EU has taken and then to look at the result of that action. He will find that, in almost every case, there has been a reduction in imports of more than 80% and sometimes, as I mentioned earlier with regard to rebar, some 99%. As I have said, and I will say it again, if the hon. Gentleman has a particular idea that is focused on steel—because that is the real issue in British industry right now, and that is what I and he want to focus on— I am willing to listen to him.

Mike Kane Portrait Mike Kane (Wythenshawe and Sale East) (Lab)
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More than half of UK steel exports go to the European Union. Does the Secretary of State, who is now a fervent Europhile, I think, agree that exit from the European Union would be devastating to the industry?

Sajid Javid Portrait Sajid Javid
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Where I agree with the hon. Gentleman is that we have to do everything we can to help British industry and British manufacturing, and I think that the long-term interest of the British economy is to remain in the EU.