HL Deb 07 August 1975 vol 363 cc1839-41
Lord BRUCE of DONINGTON

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether their attention has been drawn to a public statement by Mr. Hugh Palin, a Director of Norton Villiers Triumph Limited, concerning alleged prototype defects in the products of the Meriden Co-operative, and whether they will forthwith ensure the termination of the Meriden Co-operative's marketing contract with Norton Villiers Triumph Limited and the institution of fresh marketing arrangements.

Lord WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, I am aware that a director of Norton Villiers Triumph Limited is reported to have mentioned publicly certain problems in the design of prototype machines produced by the Meriden Motorcycle Cooperative. I understand that representatives of the two firms are holding amicable discussions on this matter, with a view to resolving as soon as possible any such problems as exist. The product sale agreement between the two firms was negotiated by them on a normal commercial basis and remains a matter for them.

Lord BRUCE of DONINGTON

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for his reply, may I ask whether he is aware that it is quite normal commercial practice and experience for defects to appear in prototypes and for consultations to take place between those who market the product and those who produce it? Is he also aware that what is quite unprecedented is for confidential memoranda having a bearing on these matters to be made public? Is he aware that it is quite clear that the directors of Norton Villiers Triumph Limited have used this memorandum for political purposes as part of a carefully orchestrated campaign against the Meriden Co-operative? Moreover, is he aware that there are some people, including responsible newspaper editors, who are prepared to pursue a vendetta against the Meriden Co-operative at the expense of this country's exports?

Lord WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, I am not aware of any of these facts. What I am aware of is the fact that a meeting took place between the management of NVT and the leaders of the Co-operative yesterday and, as reported in this morning's Guardian, it was said that after yesterday's meeting leaders of the Co-operative said that these reports had been grossly exaggerated.

Lord HARMAR-NICHOLLS

My Lords, does the noble Lord, Lord Winterbottom, deplore, as I do, the use of their Lordships' Order Paper for expressing Party political pique in these terms? if it is that this director has said things he ought not to have done, it ought to be answered in the proper way; but to suggest that an agreement, properly entered into, for marketing an important industry should be dispensed with in this flamboyant way is not in the interests of the industry, and I do not think it is in keeping with the real traditions of this House.

Lord WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, I do not think that the noble Lord is interpreting their Lordships' practices correctly.

Lord BRUCE of DONINGTON

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that if there has been any flamboyance in this matter it has been in the Press reports which I hold in my hand and which I can produce for the House if necessary, and which are quite monstrous in their effect?

Lord HAILSHAM of SAINT MARYLEBONE

My Lords, is it not the real test that Questions should be used for eliciting from the Government information for which the Government are responsible, and not for any other purpose?

Lord PANNELL

My Lords, is not the reaction from the other side of the House surprising, bearing in mind the long time they took yesterday on the Industry Bill discussing the safeguarding of confidential information and how far it should be broadcast? But apparently they are prepared—

Several Noble Lords

Question!

Lord PANNELL

Are they prepared to acquiesce in the general idea that there should be a general dissemination of information for political ends?

Lord HAILSHAM of SAINT MARYLEBONE

Next Question!