MPs deliver scathing report over Corus plant blow

Mar 9 2010 by Sue Scott, Evening Gazette

SHORT-SIGHTED, counterproductive and devastating - the three words used by MPs to describe the mothballing of the Teesside Cast Products in a report highly critical of both owner Corus and the Government.

During a presentation of its final report at a curiously empty reception in Redcar yesterday - given the intense public interest in the original inquiry hearing - chairwoman and Stockton MP Dari Taylor said there were many questions left unanswered. But in a damning indictment of a parliamentary system set up to hold individuals and Government to account, she said the committee had been kept “out of the loop”, particularly over critical details of deals to buy the plant.

She reserved her toughest criticism for Corus chief executive Kirby Adams, whom she accused of “discourtesy” and “arrogance” in failing to come before the committee in person.

The report pinned the blame for the current crisis on a series of blunders and poor decisions, saying that closure of the Lackenby coil plate mill in 2001 had critically undermined TCP’s viability.

It said the priority now was for the company, Government and unions to find a way to return the plant to operation as soon as possible and urged Prime Minister Gordon Brown to keep an open mind on subsidising the plant if a potential buyer was found.

In a 14-point summary of its conclusions and recommendations, the committee said a proposal for TCP to partner another Corus site at Llanwern in Wales should be given serious consideration and asked the company for a guarantee that it was prepared to release some of its 3,000 acres at Redcar for other development that could create jobs.

Geoff Waterfield, chairman of the multi-union committee at TCP, said it was disappointing that “single-handedly Kirby Adams is throwing away 172 years of social responsibility”.

“I cannot believe that Tata is impressed with the way Kirby Adams has dealt with this. He has treated people and the Government with contempt.”

Mrs Taylor said she would now write to Tata chairman Ratan Tata to make him aware of “the way this committee has been treated”.

Mr Waterfield added: “This is about communities and employees. This all could have been dealt with so differently.

“I remain hopeful. People recognise the abilities of people on Teesside.”

Redcar MP Vera Baird described the Regional Committee’s report as “perceptive” and said she was grateful the committee had produced its report so quickly.

“Kirby Adams and Corus know everyone is watching them,” she said.