§ 39. Mr. Edelmanasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage approximately of machine tools operated by nationalised industries are over 10 years old; and whether he will take steps to stimulate the nationalised corporations for which he is responsible to modernise and re-equip their machinery as a matter of urgency.
§ Mr. RidleyI refer the hon. Member to what I said in the Adjournment debate on the machine tool industry on 22nd December, 1971.—[Vol. 828, c. 1518.]
§ Mr. EdelmanSince then the situation has deteriorated. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that redundancies have increased and orders have fallen? In view of the parlous situation at Churchills and Alfred Herbert, is not it time the Secretary of State himself took some interest in the matter and initiated urgent Government intervention to deal with the catastrophic situation?
§ Mr. RidleyMy right hon. Friend has been taking a considerable interest in the situation. I agree with the hon. Gentleman that it gives cause for concern, and we are watching it very closely. But the suggestion in the hon. Gentleman's Question does not appear to be a practical way of helping the industry.