§ 12. Mr. FabricantTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the state of the automotive manufacturing and components industry. [144539]
§ Mr. ByersThe sector employs over 220,000 people and has an annual turnover of more than £40 billion. Since 1997, over £3 billion of new investment has been announced with over 10,000 new jobs in car manufacturing alone, and since 1997 we have seen record levels of production, sales and exports.
§ 23. Mr. John CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his policy regarding the UK car industry. [144551]
§ Mr. ByersThe Government's policy on the UK car industry is the same as that for any other manufacturing sector—to assist industry to improve it's competitiveness in today's challenging global market.