§ 3.30 p.m.
§ Lord RodneyMy 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 what is the total value of orders received by Leyland Trucks for the new Road Runner model.
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, I understand from the company that up to early November orders worth nearly £25 million had been received for the Road Runner.
§ Lord RodneyMy Lords, I should like to thank my noble friend for that encouraging reply. May I ask him whether Her Majesty's Government see this as a turning point in the fortunes of the BL commercial vehicle division; and what are the export possibilities for this vehicle?
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, given the importance of the sector, this vehicle is as important to Leyland Vehicles as were the Metro and the Maestro to Austin Rover. Noble Lords will be aware of the improvement within Austin Rover in the last few years. On the question of exports, they have as yet been minimal. Production is concentrated for the moment on the United Kingdom market. However, the vehicle's first major public showing was at the Paris Show, and Leyland Vehicles hoped that the Road Runner would sell well on the Continent.
Lord Paget of NorthamptonMy Lords, are advertising spots of this type on our Order Paper in order? If they are, they could turn out to be quite a commercial proposition.
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, I think that the whole House would wish British Leyland—which is, after all, a nationalised industry—well, and wish it success in promoting this new product.