HC Deb 22 November 1976 vol 919 cc1868-70
16. Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether licences have been sought for the import of heavy freight diesel trains—Class 56—manufactured under licence in Romania; and what is the total value of the orders concerned.

Mr. Meacher

The import of heavy freight diesel trains is not subject to individual licensing. I understand that the value of the locomotives assembled in Romania, which were the subject of recent reports in the Press, was £8.4 million, of which the import content was about 15 per cent.—namely, £1.2 million.

Mr. Madden

Will my hon. Friend give the House an assurance that he will exert maximum pressure on British Rail to ensure that its requirements for equipment are met as far as possible from domestic British sources, as procurement from overseas will undoubtedly have an effect on both British Rail employees and employees in British manufacturing industry?

Mr. Meacher

The purchasing policy of British Rail is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport. I shall see that my hon. Friend's representations are conveyed to him. I understand that British Rail sought the purchase of 60 locomotives of a type that it wanted urgently delivered mainly because of a higher forecast of freight traffic, especially in coal. Only Brush, in conjunction with a Romanian company, was able to supply within the required delivery deadlines. The order was deliberately split fifty-fifty to safeguard jobs so far as possible within Britain.

Mr. Burden

Does the Minister agree that the best way of ensuring that the nationalised industries, including the railways, place more orders with British firms is to allow them to plan well into the future and to submit them to far less interference and control by Government Departments?

Mr. Meacher

The hon. Gentleman might like to know that domestic purchasing by the public sector within Britain is at a much higher level than similar purchasing by the private sector.

Mr. Bagier

Does my hon. Friend agree that it would be far better if the railway workshops and those who are producing for the home market were given far more scope in tendering for the home market and far more scope in going for overseas orders?

Mr. Meacher

I appreciate the force of my hon. Friend's point, but I must tell him that that is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport.