§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for Industry what guidance he has given to the Ryder Committee on British Leyland's corporate future, on the assumptions they are to make in respect of the company's sales to Europe, about Great Britain's continued membership of the European Community.
§ Mr. MeacherNone. I understand that British Leyland would continue to regard Europe as its most important market in any circumstances.
§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will ask the Ryder Committee on British Leyland to confine commercially sensitive matters to a confidential appendix to its report, thereby allowing the balance of the report to be presented to Parliament.
§ Mr. BennI undertook on 18th December [Vol. 883, c. 1727]—to inform the House as soon as possible of the Ryder team's principal recommendations and their financial implications. I have taken note of the hon. Member's suggestion but until the report is available to the Government no decision is possible on the degree of detail that could be published without damage to British Leyland's commercial interests.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether the investigating team on British Leyland has authority to seek to contact and discuss the matter under investigation with officials of the EEC.
§ Mr. BennThe team's remit would not preclude such contacts if they were considered necessary. I have not suggested that it should do so.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will consider appointing a shop steward and a member of middle management from within British Leyland to the investigating team led by Sir Don Ryder.
§ Mr. BennI do not think that would necessarily be the best way of ensuring that shop-floor and middle management views are taken into account. The investigating team will, of course, fully consult their representatives.