§ 26. Mr. Snowasked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development whether he is aware of lack of orders in the electronic controlled equipment industry, and of the consequential redundancy at Rugeley, Staffs; and what action he is taking.
§ Mr. HeathI am aware that a particular firm in Rugeley has just declared some redundancy, I am not aware of any lack of orders in the industry generally.
§ Mr. SnowIs not this an extremely important branch of this industry and is the Minister aware that the managing director has made a public statement 1353 that he is short of orders? Bearing in mind the extremely high cost of research in this sort of industry, have not the Government a special responsibility in their desire to modernise industry?
§ Mr. HeathI understand that this firm does not expect to have further redundancies and hopes to re-employ some of those who have become redundant. The Government's policy of expansion and modernisation will mean additional requirements for products of the kind produced by this firm.