SCOTTISH STEEL TASKFORCE

That this House recognises the Scottish Government's extensive efforts in finding a new owner for the steelworks at Dalzell and Clydebridge in Lanarkshire, including the establishment of the Scottish Steel Task Force, which was a constructive group of partners including Tata Steel, North and South Lanarkshire Councils, trade unions, political parties, the UK Government, Scottish Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland and PACE; further recognises the work carried out to encourage prospective buyers by actions such as energy efficiency measures, securing a reduction of business rates and a staff retraining fund for retained staff of £195,000; congratulates and thanks all bodies involved in securing a future for steel in Scotland resulting in retaining jobs, including Tata Steel, Dalzell and Clydebridge steelworkers and their families and trade unions; welcomes the statement by Liberty House who agreed that this would not have happened without the efforts of the Scottish Government; and particularly congratulates and recognises the efforts of Energy Minister Fergus Ewing and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in fulfilling their vow of leaving no stone unturned in finding a new owner for Scotland's steel works, forging a bright, new era for an iconic and key industry of Scotland's economy.