§ 17. Mr. Hal Millerasked the Secretary of State for Industry by what statutory authority, and subject to what conditions, he has caused to be withheld ECGD guarantees and NRDC money from Norton Villiers Triumph; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BennECGD guarantees are a matter for the Secretary of State for Trade. Earlier this year NRDC sought my approval under Section 4(l)(b) of the Development of Inventions Act 1967 for a proposal to assist Norton Villiers Triumph Ltd. in a programme of motor cycle research and development. I decided to defer a decision until the future of the Meriden factory had been clarified. Both the NRDC and NVT are now re-examining the proposals originally put forward to me.