§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will estimate the number and geographical spread of firms which are dependent upon the car manufacturing industry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsThere are no data on which to provide an estimate of the number and geographical spread of firms which are dependent upon the car manufacturing industry. However it is estimated that there are some 2,000 firms supplying components to the vehicle industry generally of which 20 or so of the largest firms account for over 75 per cent. by value of United Kingdom annual vehicle component production. For many suppliers the vehicle industry represents only one of their markets. There is a traditional concentration of vehicle components suppliers in the west midlands.