HC Deb 18 December 1969 vol 793 cc1547-8
Q5. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Prime Minister if, in his forthcoming meeting with President Nixon, he will discuss cooperation between the British and the United States Governments with a view to the introduction of legislation to require international companies based in the United States of America, with plants in the United Kingdom, to guarantee a higher proportion of key jobs in the parent company to nationals of countries, such as the United Kingdom, where plants are placed.

The Prime Minister

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to a Question by him last Tuesday.—[Vol. 793, c. 1131–2.]

Mr. Dalyell

Has the Prime Minister had brought to his attention a Fabian research pamphlet by Mr. Louis Turner, with the suggestion that a Parliamentary Select Committee could usefully examine ways of devising a code of conduct for multi-national firms in Britain?

The Prime Minister

I know about the Fabian pamphlet, and there is some valuable stuff in it. I do not believe that a Parliamentary Select Committee would be the right way to handle this question. I am well aware of my hon. Friend's interest, and I referred to it at Question Time last Tuesday, because he has in his constituency a substantial number of well-established American firms. As I said then, if all of them in his constituency would do as well as the best in his constituency, we should all gain by it, and so would the firms concerned.

Mr. Bessell

In view of Questions which are being asked, including the present one, which seems to be directed against American interests, may I put it to the Prime Minister that a large number of American companies employ a considerable amount of labour in Britain, to the benefit of the economy generally?

The Prime Minister

That is certainly true. I remember just after the war the very considerable American investment in certain parts of Scotland and other development areas which we welcomed then and which have been of great strength to this country. We have to apply certain criteria in deciding whether we welcome it or not. Employment of labour is one of the criteria. The bringing of certain forms of know-how and techniques is another. The Americans are the first to recognise how much they owe to British technique and know-how in the development of their own industry.