§ Mr. NellistTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make it his policy to place in the Library a copy of the biannual report he intends to submit to the European Commissioner for competition, concerning the implementation of the Rover Group's corporate plan.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeNo. I am not prepared to make available a confidential communication between the United Kingdom Government and the Commission containing commercially sensitive information about a company which will be in full private ownership.
§ Mr. NellistTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what information he has as to the evidence on which the European Commissioner for competition, Mr. Peter Sutherland, based his statement in the press release dated 13 July entitled "Commission reduces Aid to Rover", regarding the commitment in Rover's corporate plan to investment and restructuring costs of £.1.5 billion and regarding the alleged plan by Rover to move from mass car to specialist production as a means of restraining growth in capacity; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe hon. Member will be well aware of the Government's policy not to comment on commercial and financial details of Rover Group management's plans. With regard to the second part of the hon. Member's question, I should point out that the Commission press release simply stated
The planned move by Rover from mass car producer to specialist producer will reduce the danger of aid being used to expand capacity.Rover Group has of course, made public for some time its intention to follow an evolving product plan for the cars business to take it up-market.