§ Mr. Tony Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any plans to meet the management of the General Electric Company to discuss the long-term future of the domestic power engineering industry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButcherMy right hon. Friend has at present no plans to meet the management of the General Electric Company. However, Ministers and officials in the Department of Trade and Industry are in frequent contact with GEC management as the occasion demands. The Government recognise that the power engineering industry will continue to depend strongly on its success in winning overseas business. The main contribution which the Government can make to future success is to create the right climate in which industry can be competitive in international terms.