To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with (a) Corus and (b) Tata Industries in respect of (i) the proposed takeover of Corus and (ii) its potential effects on Corus steel plants in the UK. (97701)

There have been no meetings with either party to discuss these issues. My officials have been keeping in close touch with developments. As the takeover proposal is now a matter for Corus’s shareholders we do not plan to hold any meetings with the companies at this stage.