The International Steel Trade Assn held its annual lunch in London on December 7. Considering that the event was taking place in such a difficult time for the steel business, the attendance of around 660 was very impressive. The Ista lunch remains a beacon of comradely jollity amid all the gloom.For all its success, it's difficult not to feel a little sympathy for those Ista committee members with the unfortunate job of telling the diners about its activities over the past year. Most present were much more interested in how long guest speaker Michael Portillo, the former Tory defence secretary, would be on his feet.
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