§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will set up an investment review agency to monitor the foreign investment programmes of British companies so that the Government will know before the announcement of plant closures what the employment and economic consequences of particular foreign investment proposals are likely to be for the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldThe Government keep international investment under review, including its impact on the economy and employment in the United Kingdom. Machinery already exists for considering inward and outward investment proposals.
§ Mr. Whiteheadasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will ascertain from the National Enterprise Board the conditions under which it approves overseas investment in plant by publicly owned companies.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldNEB investment, whether in the United Kingdom or overseas, is a matter for the NEB's commercial judgment, subject to the requirements of the Industry Act 1975, and the directions issued under the Act.