§ Mr. Gerald HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is aware of any requirement by Japanese car manufacturers in the United Kingdom for United Kingdom component manufacturers in future to enter into joint ventures with Japanese companies in order to be qualified to tender for work in United Kingdom-located Japanese car plants; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggJapanese car manufacturers based in the United Kingdom operate no general rule of this kind. If there are any instances in which a Japanese car manufacturer has told a potential United Kingdom component supplier that a joint venture will be necessary, that is a matter for commercial negotiation between the parties.