National Archives of Scotland reveal Tories tried to stop Ravenscraig closure, fearful of public's wrath

• Industrial icon: the chimney stacks and smoke plumes of Ravenscraig form a dramatic backdrop as one man walks his dogs. Picture: Doug Corrance

The files, available to the public for the first time, reveal desperate measures by ministers seeking a compromise on the plant's fate.

A series of letters, some copied to then prime minister John Major, cast new light on concerns shortly before British Steel announced the closure of the Lanarkshire site in January 1992, with the loss of 1,220 jobs.

The file on Ravenscraig was one of a host released yesterday covering the period 1989-2004. The Scottish Government and National Archives of Scotland have now released about 12,000 files 15 years before the normal 30-year limit under freedom of information legislation.

Ravenscraig was seen as a symbol of Scotland's proud manufacturing tradition and was recognised as the engine room for Lanarkshire's economy.

As the full scale of job losses became apparent in the run-up to the closure announcement, officials were briefing on the "serious political consequences" for the Tory government.

Documents from December 1991 show then Scottish secretary Ian Lang had been told in strict confidence of British Steel's plan to close the plant that month. He was urged to point out to British Steel chairman Sir Robert Scholey that the public was "likely to view this as a betrayal of a loyal workforce and a further example of discrimination against Scottish plants".

He pressed for alternatives to closure, suggesting Ravenscraig should be "left ticking over" until the market improved. Concern over what turned out to be massive decontamination costs was also raised by officials.

The future of rail workers was cast into doubt by the closure, with estimates up to 300 jobs were connected to Ravenscraig.

In a letter to Sir Robert, Mr Lang stated: "I was dismayed to learn of the recommendation, which the board is to consider on 8 January, concerning early closure of the remaining operations at Ravenscraig, and would welcome an early meeting to explore the implications, and in particular what alternatives to closure will be considered."

According to an agreement on industry privatisation, British Steel had been expected to operate at the site until 1994, but pre-tax profits had fallen from 307 million to 19m, leading to the decision to axe the plant.

As the impending closure became a reality, meetings were arranged to seek alternatives.

In one letter, raised with Mr Major, officials noted that British Steel chief Brian Moffat believed that market conditions allowed for a get-out clause.

It stated: "Prevailing commercial conditions were in his words 'bloody awful'. The remaining jobs at Ravenscraig – some 1,200 – would go."

A letter to Mr Major in December said the news was a "further serious blow to the Lanarkshire economy" after earlier closures destroyed almost 6,000 jobs.

Government began trying to find ways to offset economic trauma by establishing a special Economic Zone (EZ).

In one letter to officials on behalf of the Lord President of the Privy Council, it was noted: "While there is unlikely to be a direct impact on political sentiment at the local level, given established allegiances, Ravenscraig's significance to Scotland as a whole as the symbol of Scottish steelmaking strengthens his view that setting up the EZ is also extremely important in political terms, as the secretary of state argues."

POLL TAX CLASH

MINISTERS were deeply unhappy at efforts to collect the poll tax in Scotland, according to the files.

Prime Minister John Major even stated in one memo that "certain authorities in Scotland have not been sufficiently rigorous in their pursuit of arrears".

During a meeting with council chiefs in Glasgow, Scottish secretary Ian Lang said he was "not persuaded" that every effort was being made and criticised the leadership of some politicians.

1990: Scots islanders called on PM to stop ferry firm's plans for Sunday sailing

CAMPAIGNERS against Sunday ferry sailings lobbied then prime minister Margaret Thatcher just before a party conference and urged her to intervene against moves to break the Sabbath in the Western Isles.

Scottish secretary Malcolm Rifkind was also asked to intervene after operator Caledonian MacBrayne announced it was looking at running Skye-Tarbert and Ullapool-Stornoway sailings in 1990.

John Morrison, chair of the Harris Transport Action Group, wrote to Mrs Thatcher, saying: "The quality of life on these islands is about to be destroyed by the intrusion of Sunday ferry services."

In one letter, the Free Church of Scotland said: "The churches are united in deploring this unwanted service. It is an affront to the deep and sincere religious beliefs of the majority of islanders." Labour MPs Brian Wilson and Calum MacDonald were among politicians demanding government intervention to halt Calmac's plans.

Mr Wilson wrote to Mr Rifkind saying: "It is no part of the proper role of a state-owned company, brought into existence for the exclusive purpose of serving the islands, to ride roughshod over the values and beliefs of people whom they are meant to serve."

Although the government repeatedly refused to intervene on the issue, officials admitted privately that Calmac had "lacked some sensitivity" and that there was "some justification" for islanders to feel their beliefs and wishes were being over-ridden.

However within months, faced with the prospect of a blockade by fishing boats and demonstrations, including civil disobedience, Calmac pulled the plug on the plan.

The Skye-Tarbert and Ullapool-Stornoway routes were the only Calmac routes to remain without a Sunday sailing until last summer when the former was introduced for the first time.