To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when British Steel was informed of the House's view on the closure of the Ravenscraig hot strip mill, as set out in the Official Report, of 21 May, column 75.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps the Scottish Development Agency or any of his departments has taken to assess the viability of an independent Scottish steel industry.

It would be for any business parties interested in establishing or acquiring steelmaking facilities in Scotland to consider whether such an entity—however defined—might be viable.