Iron Works, Normanby (Closing)

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 20 July 1959.

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Photo of Mr Arthur Palmer Mr Arthur Palmer , Cleveland 12:00, 20 July 1959

The Economic Secretary knows my interest in the Normanby Iron Works. It is true that it is in the constituency of my right hon. Friend the Member for Middlesbrough, East (Mr. Marquand), but it is on my boundary and a number of my constituents work there. I would add my voice to the vigorous protest which my right hon. Friend has made about what I think is the very shabby treatment of iron and steel workers at this plant.

Last year in a similar Adjournment debate to this, I protested about the surprise decision to withdraw the subsidy which had hitherto been paid for iron ore mining in the Cleveland area. I had no satisfactory answer from the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Power, but the result of that decision was that in my constituency, in East Cleveland, one mine closed and others went on to short-time working, and, just as in the case of the Normanby Iron Works, there was no proper period of warning.

Therefore, I have the right to put this question to the hon. Gentleman on behalf of my constituents: what is to happen to the Skinningrove Iron Works in Cleveland? We are bothered about this question because the plant is in the possession of the Realisation Agency of the Iron and Steel Board. It is an important but isolated iron and steel works, which provides the bulk of employment in East Cleveland. The plant has not been fully modernised, though I happen to know that those who direct it would like it to be modernised. I am sure they have plans to that end, but apparently the Realisation Agency will not permit them. Is this works to be the next sudden victim?

All I would say, finally, is that if that is to be the case, my constituents and the trade unions have a right to be told. If there is to be rationalisation in the North-East in the matter of iron and steel it should not be a secret plan.