§ Lord Brockwayasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will support the request by the French Government to the OECD to investigate the plan for transferring unemployed plant and workers to "socially useful alternative production" proposed by the shop steward committee of British Lucas Aerospace.
The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (Earl Ferrers)The French Government have suggested that the OECD should examine various new ways of creating jobs. It is not clear whether the project referred to by the noble Lord would be among those considered. We have expressed interest in the French Government's suggestion. However, the proposals have not yet been put forward in sufficient detail for member states to be able to come to decisions on whether or not they might be supported.