§ 17. Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied with the efficacy of the Government grant of £4.8 million to Norton Villiers Triumph in the promotion of British motor cycle exports.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantI remain of the view that the creation of Norton Villiers Triumph Limited, in which the Government have invested £4.872 million, provides the best chance of creating a strong and competitive motor cycle industry in this country and therefore of maintaining and expanding exports.
§ 46. Mr. Edelmanasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take action designed to maintain the Triumph motor cycle works at Meriden as a viable unit in the interests of employment and exports, and in the light of the £4.8 million loan of public money to the Norton Villiers Triumph Company.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantNo. If Norton Villiers Triumph Ltd. is to be strong and competitive—and this was the objective of the Government's investment of £4.872 million—it is necessary for the company to rationalise its production of motor cycles. It is for the company to decide how and where its plans should be put into effect, and I have no reason to question its decision.