§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what discussions have taken place with his Department concerning the proposed closure of the Carreras Rothmans factory at Basildon;
(2) if he will meet a deputation of hon. Members and trade union representatives to discuss the proposed closure of the Carreras Rothmans factory at Basildon.
§ Mr. Trippier[pursuant to the reply, 13 February 1984, c. 20]: My hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Mr. Amess) at his request discussed the closure of Carreras Rothman's Basildon factory with my hon. Friend the Minister for Industry on 23 January 1984. In addition one of my Department's small firms centres has been in touch with the company to offer its help to the displaced workers. As the most directly concerned hon. Member has already met a Department of Trade and Industry Minister, I do not feel that a further meeting to discuss a matter, which is essentially for the commercial judgment of the company, would be fruitful.