16 July 2009
STEEL PETITION EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS
John Healey MP, Kevin Barron MP, Michael Leahey OBE, General Secretary of Community union and Denis MacShane MP
Rotherham's Save our Steel petition calling for a full House of Commons debate on the future of the steel industry was formally presented in the House of Commons today.
Denis MacShane MP said: "The petition was launched on 3rd July and in just 14 days we have collected a fantastic 6,020 signatories. I have been truly amazed by the response which demonstrates the solidarity of Rotherham people with their steel industry.
"Virtually everyone who signed had their own steel story and steel connection to talk about steelworkers themselves and former steelworkers as well as the fathers, mothers, sons and daughters of steelworkers.
"In a very short time the petition seems to have reached all quarters of the Rotherham community shops and offices, libraries and advice centres, health centres and the hospital, schools and colleges, charities and voluntary organisations, churches and mosques its been truly amazing. I'd really like to thank everyone who has signed the petition and especially those who have gone out of their way to collect signatures.
"This petition has really helped me and my colleague Rotherham MPs, John Healey and Kevin Barron, to make the case for government action to be taken to save the hundreds of steel jobs which are under threat in Rotherham.
"I'm delighted that Gordon Brown has today had a meeting with senior Corus players and that Peter Mandelson, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, will be in South Yorkshire tomorrow for talks with steel bosses and local MPs."
John Healey MP said: "I want to thank the many people who took the time to collect signatures and bring petitions to my office.
"As local MPs we were never in doubt about the strength of feeling of people in Rotherham for our steel industry. This will help government ministers understand the huge support there is for our steel workers and steel industry, and that this town is determined to do all it can to keep its place as an important steel centre."
Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive John Lewis said "In recognising the impact that steel job losses will have on the wider community, our members have been really pleased to see the leadership on this issue from our local MPs. The tremendous support for the 'Save our Steel' petition really demonstrates the strength of local feeling on this matter. I hope this will secure a full House of Commons debate on the future of the South Yorkshire steel industry and give our MPs the opportunity to press Ministers for the action needed to safeguard the industry and support the workforce to weather this recession."