HC Deb 13 October 1975 vol 897 c851
19. Mr. Hal Miller

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what action has he taken subsequent to his last statement on the motor cycle industry to safeguard public funds committed to Norton Villiers Triumph and the Meriden Co-operative; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Kaufman

It is not the practice to disclose details of the Department's commercial relationships with industry, for reasons of commercial security. The Department is receiving regular monitoring returns from these two companies.

Mr. Miller

Is the Minister aware that my constituents who work in the Small Heath factory are considerably alarmed by the fact that no decision has been reached on the future of that enterprise which, in turn, depends upon a Government decision? The matter has been rotating for three months between merchant bankers, Government Departments and the firms concerned. When shall we have a decision?

Mr. Kaufman

We announced our decision before the Summer Recess.

Mr. Tomlinson

Does my hon. Friend agree that Conservative Members would do far more for the British motor cycle industry if they occasionally stood up and congratulated Meriden Co-operative on its resumption of exports to the United States—exports which would have been lost had the Conservatives had their way?

Mr. Kaufman

Meriden Co-operative is a brave venture, which deserves every encouragement. The present state of the British motor cycle industry goes back at least to the actions of Mr. Christopher Chataway when he was Minister for Industrial Development, and cannot be laid at the door of this Government.

Forward to