§ 1. Mr. Ellisasked the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the Monsanto Europe Company about its decision to declare redundant one-fifth of the labour force at the Company's Ruabon factory.
§ The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Peter Thomas)I have had a full and detailed discussion with the chairman and two of his senior colleagues
§ Mr. EllisIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware of the apprehension felt in my constituency about the continued well-being of this works? Is he aware that while his answer will be welcomed, nothing would be more reassuring for a works which has seen its labour force reduced from 2,000 some years ago to just under 1,000 today than to have 2 considerable investment by the company linked with Government grant assistance for the development of a new product line at Ruabon? Did the Secretary of State discuss the possibility of this?
§ Mr. ThomasI discussed the matter fully with the chairman and his colleagues who made it clear, as I believe they made it clear to the employees at Cefn Mawr, when they met them later, that following the closure of the two loss-making units in question, the works would in future be viable. I understood the apprehensions that existed and I was happy to hear from the firm that there was no policy decision to close the works in the immediate or long-term future.