§ Mr. Julius Silvermanasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether British Leyland has received financial assistance though any of the schemes operated by his Department under section 8 of the Industry Act 1972.
§ Mr. VarleyApart from the £30 million loan to BL in 1976 and the undertaking earlier this year to provide £150 million by way of equity, both of which were specifically authorised by resolutions of the House in accordance with section 8(8) of the Industry Act 1972, BL has been offered £1.4 million of assistance for the Beans Foundry Project under my Department's ferrous foundry scheme. When this offer was made the view was 651W taken that as the amount of assistance proposed was less than £5 it could be provided under section 8 without a separate resolution of the House being required. I have now decided, however, that should any similar case arise in the future I will bring the appropriate resolution before the House.