HC Deb 12 January 1981 vol 996 cc744-5
16. Mr. Hal Miller

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he is yet in a position to make a statement on the British Leyland corporate plan.

Sir Keith Joseph

No, Sir. The Government are currently considering BL's plan and the asociated funding requirement. A statement will be made in due course.

Mr. Miller

May we have an asurance that the BL plan will be considered not only in the light of potential demand for motor vehicles but in the light of the likely contraction in motor vehicle construction amongst European manufacturers?

Sir Keith Joseph

I can assure my hon. Friend that we shall take all the relevant factors known to us into account.

Mr. Orme

Is the Secretary of State aware that an early reply to the British Leyland corporate plan is essential so that the company can plan ahead for the next two or three years based on the excellent production that is taking place at present? May we have an assurance that we shall have a reply later this month?

Sir Keith Joseph

I think that I can safely assure the right hon. Gentleman and the House that there will be a reply one way or the other later this month.

Mr. Ian Lloyd

In view of the Government's specific commitment to the support of one advanced sports car —the De Lorean—in Ulster, will my right hon. Friend consider with the greatest care and scepticism the request being made by British Leyland for about £70 million for the support of yet another sports car—namely, the Jaguar? Must the Government be in competition with themselves?

Sir Keith Joseph

That, too, we shall take into account in considering the proposals.

Mr. Norman Atkinson

The Secretary of State has referred to shop-floor practices that have led to a lack of competitiveness on the shop floor. Now that he has had time to think about it, will he give one precise example of where a lack of competitiveness has occurred?

Sir Keith Joseph

Yes. The fact is that in 1954—

Mr. Orme

When?

Sir Keith Joseph

I am claiming that over many years our relatively poor productivity performance, coupled with the relatively large pay claims that have been extracted in British manufacturing industry, has reduced our competitiveness and contributed largely to unemployment rising now. This has been true year after year after year.