§ 7. Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Technology whether he will make an official visit to the British Motor Corporation at Bathgate to hold discussions with management, union officials, and shop stewards.
§ Mr. BennMy Department is in close touch with the British Motor Corporation about the situation in Bathgate and on redeployment the Ministry of Labour teams are already at work.
§ Mr. DalyellIs it recognised that the problems and needs of Bathgate are fundamentally different from those of the English factories?
§ Mr. BennAs my hon. Friend has put to me personally on the matter, it is true that there are special differences here. In the first case, there is the development area difference. Secondly—and this is to the advantage of Bathgate—there is commercial vehicle production, and commercial vehicle production is holding up well.
§ Mr. Gwilym RobertsWould not the Minister agree with me that, in view of the widespread misgivings in the motor industry, it is high time that there was called a nationwide conference of management and unions in the industry to consider long-term developments?
§ Mr. BennThere are existing opportunities for discussions with both sides of industry. I am Chairman of the National Advisory Council for the motor car industry, and I met that body recently, when both the manufacturers and the unions were represented. In addition, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour has been in touch with both sides. Although I do not rule out further developments, I think that the existing machinery in this case is working reasonably well.