§ 31. Mr. BoswellTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what information he has on sales of individual models made by Austin Rover in 1987 and 1986.
§ Mr. AtkinsDuring 1987 Austin Rover sold a total of 296,784 cars in the United Kingdom against 293,240 in 1986. The model breakdown was as follows.
1987 1986 Mini 15,873 16,154 Metro 108,223 109,351 Maestro 43,815 51,406 Montego 56,238 62,658 Rover 200 50,254 45,197 Rover 800 20,200 4,307 Total 296,784 293,240 Preliminary figures indicate that total worldwide sales by Austin Rover increased in 1987 to over 435,500 against 411,023 in 1986.
§ 73. Mr. MadelTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects to return the Austin Rover Group to the private sector; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsIt remains the aim of both the Rover Group board and the Government to return Austin Rover252W and Land Rover to full private ownership. The group's chairman has spoken publicly of his belief that privatisation can be achieved in the lifetime of this Parliament, and work continues within the company to review the options towards that general objective.