§ Mr. Roy HughesTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what discussions took place with Nissan as part of the negotiations leading to the offer of Government grants for the plant at Sunderland, regarding the availability of a partially or totally non-unionised work force; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Atkins[holding answer 25 March 1988]: The availability of a partially or totally non-unionised work force did not form part of the negotiations with Nissan which led to the offer of Government financial assistance for the Sunderland plant. Nissan was concerned to establish an effective working relationship with the United Kingdom trade union movement and it subsequently signed an agreement with the Amalgamated Engineering Union, membership of which the company encourages.