asked the Secretary of State for Industry what date will the first British plant for the mass production of steel pipes of large diameters be in production.

The British Steel Corporation already manufactures large diameter pipes at Hartlepool, Stockton and Clydesdale. There are also private sector facilities for producing such pipes at Motherwell and Ipswich. Expenditure is at present being incurred by the British Steel Corporation on enhancing facilities at the 44-in diameter pipemill at Hartlepool.