§ 17. Mr. Tim Rentonasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make an estimate of the effects withdrawal from the EEC would have on Sir Don Ryder's plans for the expansion of British Leyland sales.
§ Mr. BennThe effects would depend on the terms of continued British Leyland access to the EEC market and of EEC manufacturers' access to the British market.
§ 19. Mr. Hal Millerasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will publish the plans prepared by the Leyland management which are the alternative of the £1,400 million investment proposed in the Ryder Report to assist Parliament 241W to reach an informed judgment on the merits of the latter; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BennThe investment proposed in the Ryder Report is based largely on a concept study prepared by British Leyland for the Ryder team. Any plans prepared by the company and made available to the Government are, of course commercially confidential.
§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Industry when the proposals contained in the Ryder Report on British Leyland were sent to the EEC Commission; and when he expects to receive their opinion concerning the compatibility of its proposals with the provisions of Article 92 or other articles of the Treaty of Rome.
§ Mr. Gregor MackenzieTuesday 22nd April. When the Commission's views are available I shall inform the House.