§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement about the recently announced changes on the board of Rolls-Royce (1971) Limited.
§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what changes in the management of Rolls-Royce (1971) have taken place; and to what extent Her Majesty's Government were responsible.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineThe board of Rolls-Royce (1971) Ltd. announced on 6th October that, as intended, Lord Cole had resigned from the board and had been replaced by Sir Kenneth Keith; that Mr. Morrow remained as Deputy-Chairman but would resign as Managing Director on 30th November and would be succeded by Mr. Kenneth Wilkinson who had been elected to the board. The appointments were made by the board. The Government, as sole shareholder, were concerned in the appointments which were made with their approval. I should like to record the Government's gratitude to Lord Cole for the very great public service which he has rendered through his leadership of the company over the last two years.