IRON AND STEEL EMPLOYEES' READAPTATION BENEFIT SCHEME

That this House expresses its concern about Her Majesty's Government's intention to terminate the Iron and Steel Employees' Readaptation Benefit Scheme; recognises that this scheme has helped 118, 000 redundant steelworkers since 1974; believes that the motivation is one of cost cutting; notes that this decision comes at a time when Germany, Spain and Italy are failing fully to participate in the planned reduction of EC steel capacity; believes therefore that jobs as a result are now at risk in the United Kingdom steel industry; and urges the Government to reconsider its decision.