HC Deb 20 March 1979 vol 964 c554W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, in the light of the large number of British companies being taken over by foreign interests which can have damaging results in matters such as defence and the security of the United Kingdom, if he will take action to prevent foreign persons and foreign countries from controlling British industry.

Mr. Les Huckfield

Adequate safeguards exist to ensure that a foreign takeover of a British manufacturing company would not be allowed to proceed if it were contrary to the national interest, including the security of the United Kingdom.