HC Deb 08 April 1981 vol 2 cc943-4
8. Mr. David Marshall

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the substantial public investment in Talbot Linwood, he will take steps to ensure that the equipment and plant in Linwood be protected against destruction or removal by the company and that it be kept available for possible future manufacturing purposes in Linwood.

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

While acknowledging that the disposal of the plant and equipment at Linwood is primarily a matter for its owners, Talbot Motors, my right hon. Friend has asked the chairman of Talbot Motors to do what he can to ensure that the major facilities of the toolroom, die-casting foundry and press shop are retained.

Mr. Marshall

Does not the Minister realise that almost £170 million of public money has been invested in Talbot UK? The company paid virtually nothing for the Linwood plant and has put nothing into it. Does not he consider that it is a national disgrace that this French company should be allowed to strip the assets of Linwood? Does not he agree that the Scottish Development Agency should take over the plant in its entirety at no additional cost?

Mr. Fletcher

I have already told the House that the SDA is surveying the plant to see how it can be best adapted to bring more jobs to the area in the future. On the amount of public financial support, I hope that all hon. Members will agree that, whatever the reason for the plant's failure, it was not due to shortage of Government financial support.

Mr. Allan Stewart

May I congratulate my hon. Friend on his statement about those areas of the plant which the trade unions have identified as possessing possible alternative uses outside the motor car industry? Will not he agree that concern on this issue underlines the necessity for the SDA study to be completed sooner rather than later?

Mr. Fletcher

Yes, Sir I agree that the SDA should complete its study urgently and quickly, as we have asked. I have every confidence that this will be achieved, although we must plan the action that we shall take before trying to bring many people together and, perhaps, working on the basis of opinions that would not stand up to proper examination. The important question of the die-casting foundry, the press shop and the toolroom was raised with my right hon. Friend by Mr. Livingstone, convener of the shop stewards. My right hon. Friend immediately took action with the company along the lines that I have already set out.

Mr. Millan

While we are glad to hear that the Secretary of State is in touch with the company about these facilities, may I ask whether it is likely that if, at the end of the day, they are to be retained at Linwood, there will have to be some kind of public money involved? Will that be made available?

Mr. Fletcher

We have to decide who should own the plant in the future, whether it should be the SDA, as happened in the case of the Singer plant, or whether there should be some alternative arrangement. Once my right hon. Friend has received reports from the SDA and other parties, he will make a decision on that important matter and the others.