SAHAVIRIYA STEEL INDUSTRIES (SSI) TAKEOVER OF CORUS

That this House welcomes Sahaviriya Steel Industries' (SSI) recent takeover of Corus TCP after lengthy negotiations which started in the summer of 2009; further welcomes the 1 billion investment pledged to secure the future of steelmaking on Teesside; acknowledges the hard work of those involved with the trade union-led campaign including Michael Leahy, General Secretary of Community Union and Geoff Waterfield, multi-union chairman at TCP, Corus officials Dave Reid and John Bolton, former MPs the late Ashok Kumar, Vera Baird and Dari Taylor as well as local councillors and community leaders and the whole Teesside community who came together to fight to save the plant; recognises the crucial support of local media, especially the Evening Gazette, the Northern Echo and BBC Tees; pays tribute to the workforce forits strength, determination and patience throughout the difficult period since the mothballing of the plant was announced in December 2009; and looks forward to a bright future for steelmaking on Teesside.