§ 17. Mr. Wrigglesworth asked the Secretary of State for Industry what consultations he has had with the board of British Leyland about the possibility of putting the company into liquidation; and what consultations he has had with others about the economic and industrial consequences of such an act.
§ Mr. Norman Lamont:Sir Michael Edwardes has said that, if effective and financially damaging strike action took place at BL, the board of BL would have no option but to consult the Government on the steps that would be needed to liquidate those parts of the business that were on strike or were prevented from working. The strike is not scheduled to start for a week, so the stage has not been reached when the board would need to consult the Government on the lines envisaged. My right hon. Friend is in touch with his colleagues about the implications of a strike at BL.
246WLeeds (Industrial Strategy)
18. Mr. Joseph Dean asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will reconsider the Government's current industrial strategy with particular reference to the Leeds area.
§ Mr. Norman Lamont:The Government's regional industrial policy is to concentrate on the areas of greatest need. There are no plans to reconsider the decision to withdraw intermediate area status from Leeds on 1 August next year but until then Leeds will continue to be eligible for regional assistance appropriate to its status.