§ Mr. Iain Millsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to encourage Ford, Vauxhall and Peugeot Talbot to increase their use in the United Kingdom and elsewhere of United Kingdom-made components.
§ Mr. ButcherDepartmental Ministers and officials are in regular touch with the senior management of Ford, Peugeot Talbot and Vauxhall and every opportunity is taken to emphasise the need for the companies to give full and fair access to United Kingdom component manufacters. I am optimistic about the way matters are developing.
Ford, of course, is itself an important manufacturer of components in the United Kingdom for use both here and overseas. Its United Kingdom vehicles already have a United Kingdom content of around 80 per cent.
Peugeot Talbot has recently launched the Ryton-built Peugeot 309 with an initial level of United Kingdom content of 65 per cent. Talks will commence shortly between the company and my officials to explore ways in which more United Kingdom components might be incorporated in PSA group models built here and overseas.
As far as Vauxhall are concerned, General Motors Passenger Cars (Europe) set up a high level task force last year to look at the imbalance between what it builds in the United Kingdom and what it sells here. Vauxhall has now undertaken to increase United Kingdom production and increase United Kingdom component sourcing which should mean that by the end of 1986, some 64 per cent. of Vauxhall cars sold here will be built here with a United Kingdom content of 60 per cent. Talks between my Department and the task force are continuing with the aim of securing further improvements and further opportunities for United Kingdom component manufacturers.