A PARLIAMENTARY report into the steel-making crisis at Corus has led the company to make a commitment to thousands of job-threatened Teesside workers.

The investigation by the House of Commons Trade and Industry Committee began after the company announced debts of £1.7bn.

Corus has since shed 1,150 jobs across Britain and told 2,900 workers at Redcar and Lackenby that they must find new markets within two years to survive.

But, in a statement, Corus said it was "committed to devote sufficient resources to the development of new business on Teesside."

The Parliamentary report, issued at the end of last week, recommended that: Corus devotes resources to give Teesside a chance of attracting new business; a national steel forum be given power to recommend alterations to Government strategy to help the steel industry; and Corus-owned surplus land is sold or utilised to help to regenerate local communities.

A Corus spokesman said the company welcomed the report.

In a reference to steelmaking on Teesside, he said: "We maintain our view that the restructuring proposals are viable. We are committed to devoting sufficient resources to the development of new business for Teesside. We recognise the sensitivity of these proposals and we are working hard to maximise consultation and involvement with all interested parties."

Michael Leahy, chairman of the National Trade Union Steel Co-ordinating Committee of unions representing Corus' UK employees, welcomed the report but still had reservations about Corus' commitment to Teesside.

He said: "The proposals to hive off Teesside and close the Stocksbridge plant in South Yorkshire are ill thought out. My colleagues and I will be urging the new management to shake off the straitjacket that the now-retired Sir Brian Moffat imposed on them, and to work creatively."