§ 2.40p.m.
§ Lord SandysMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government how many orders have been placed for the new Maestro car made by British Leyland and what is the likely effect on employment within the company.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Lord Trefgarne)My Lords, figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show that 8,233 Maestros were registered in March, the month in which the car was launched. This total represents 4.28 per cent. of the domestic car market. Austin Rover have so far received over £100 million worth of orders for the car from fleet buyers alone, and the level of interest from private buyers has also been high. I cannot say what the future effects on employment will be, but clearly much depends upon the swift resolution of the current dispute.
§ Lord SandysMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for that very full reply. Will he not agree that the advent of the Maestro is both a considerable stimulus to production in the British motor industry and also a great incentive to sales in both the domestic and the overseas markets?
§ Lord TrefgarneMy Lords, yes, my noble friend is quite right. The Maestro represents a very important step forward for British Leyland, particularly in the middle range.