§ 7. Mr. Hal Millerasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on the current stage of consideration of the Nissan project.
§ Mr. Michael MarshallNissan's feasibility study team has not yet completed its analysis of the project. However, since it was agreed earlier that there would be a further meeting in July, the leader of the team is now visiting the United Kingdom to give an interim report about the progress of the study. We do not expect the study to be completed until the autumn.
§ Mr. MillerDoes my hon. Friend agree that the acceptability of the Nissan project must depend on the extent to which there is genuine transfer of technology to enable our motor industry to become more competitive? Does he accept that the representations from the industry for a very high British content are designed to secure such a transfer of technology rather than the mere transfer of jobs in assembly and components from the West Midlands that would otherwise ensue?
§ Mr. MarshallThere is a great deal in what my hon. Friend says. The acid test will be, as he says, not only in the United Kingdom or European component element but in the transfer of technology. We do not yet know the final proposition. The opportunity presented, for example, in robotics, is of the highest importance in the project.
§ Mr. Barry JonesDoes the Minister understand that the desperate interest that we show in the project arises largely from the fact that some of our constituencies face horrendous rates of unemployment? May we assume that the project will be located in the United Kingdom rather than in Europe, either in Wales or on the North-East coast? When will constituencies such as mine be put out of their misery on the issue?
§ Mr. MarshallIt is clear that Nissan prefers either a special development or development area for the site of the plant. Representatives of the firm have visited a number of areas, including Wales.
§ Mr. UrwinCan the Minister be more specific about the date on which information will be released about the decision? Between now and then, will he seek to ensure that at the forefront of the thinking of the people responsible for the Nissan project are the claims of the development areas and especially those of the North-East of England?
§ Mr. MarshallI should like to be helpful to the right hon. Gentleman, but I am sure that he will appreciate that we expect to meet Nissan representatives in the next few days. It will be for them to decide on the timing of an announcement. I have forecast an announcement in the autumn. I cannot add to that. All the arguments are well understood by Nissan.