§ 48. Mr. Boothasked the Minister of Technology if he will request the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation to assist the development of the Ford Motor Company so as to avoid the transfer of work on the Ford Escort to the Saarlouis plant in Germany.
§ Mr. BennNo, Sir. I am not aware of any difficulty being experienced by Ford in obtaining funds for expansion.
§ Mr. BoothIs my right hon. Friend aware that this is not a question of funds but of the development policy of the Ford Motor Company in Europe, which at present is under German control, and that control has already resulted in a large amount of passenger vehicle design work being transferred to Germany?
§ Mr. BennIt is difficult in a short answer to answer the points made by my hon. Friend, but if we look over the last seven years we find that Fords have spent £280 million capital in this country and exports of £123 million in 1960 rose to £260 million last year. I do not think that bears out the suggestion made by my hon. Friend.