Chris McDonald

I would be quite happy to talk to the hon. Gentleman about steel desulphurisation in the Tea Room later, if he would care to join me. I also completely refute his comment about bringing in global expertise—we have the expertise in the UK to run steel companies effectively. Again, I would be happy to introduce him to people who could do that, if he wishes to know. It is important to remember that the steel market globally is not a free market, which is why Governments work together. The US Government use tariffs and blocked a merger between Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel. The French Government traditionally use procurement; the German Government subside their steel industry with energy prices; the Chinese Government give cash. It is really important to recognise that steel companies do not compete in a free market, and that if we ask our steel companies to do that, we are asking them to compete with national Governments overseas and letting those national Governments set our steel and industrial policies, and, fundamentally, our defence policy. I think that is unacceptable. We need to recognise that the corporate interest of a company is not the same as the national interest of the UK. The Secretary of State has recognised that and shown real leadership. I want to reserve my last remarks for the steelworkers in Scunthorpe. I worked in Scunthorpe for a time, both at the ironworks and at the steelworks. To the steelworkers in Scunthorpe, I say: I know exactly the pain that you are going through. I am sure that they will be relieved by the words of the Secretary of State. We all think fondly of the four blast furnaces in Scunthorpe—the four queens: Bessie, Vicky, Mary and Annie—but ultimately, I think we all recognise that their time has come. While they will be nursed into their ultimate retirement, we look forward to regenerating the steel industry in Scunthorpe and around the UK with the most modern, most efficient and most high-productive steel plants. Just as a past Labour Government did when they nationalised the steel industry for the second time in 1967—it was so good we nationalised it twice—this time, we can hopefully work with the industry to create a world-leading steel industry for the future.