BUSINESS Secretary Peter Mandelson has pledged the Government's support to closure-thretened Corus.
Mr Mandelson spoke to Kirby Adams, the Chief Executive of Corus, yesterday evening, on hearing the news of the possible mothballing of the Teesside Cast Products (TCP) plant.
He expressed strong concern that unilateral termination of the Offtake Framework Agreement by Marcegaglia, Dongkuk Steel Mills, Duferco and Alvory, and the legal challenge to this should threaten closure of the entire plant.
Mr Mandelson, the former Hartlepool MP, said: "It is essential that Corus does everything it can legally, and with the Government's assistance, to reinstate the Offtake Framework Agreement.
"It is unacceptable that such a development should threaten jobs on such a scale, with such a potentially devastating impact on the area."
He added: "The Government stands ready to do what it can to support the company.
"We are not prepared to reconcile ourselves to inevitable closure of this plant."
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