§ Mr. BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with BMW on the future of their investment in the United Kingdom. [70913]
§ Mr. BattleBoth my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and DTI officials have been maintaining close contact with BMW over the situation at Longbridge. Following last week's Board changes we understand that BMW's investment review of their medium car strategy is still underway and the company continues to look closely at Longbridge as a possible location. No immediate decision is expected.
§ Mr. BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the importance of Rover's Longbridge plant to manufacturing industry in the Midlands. [70912]
§ Mr. BattleMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State recognises that the plant plays a major role, though no specific estimate of its direct importance has been made. Longbridge currently employs around 14,000 people and a considerably larger number of jobs in the UK's component supply industry are likely to be reliant on the plant.
§ Mr. BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has had from the Birmingham Economic Development Partnership concerning the future of Rover's Longbridge plant. [70911]
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§ Mr. BattleDuring my right hon. Friend's visit to Longbridge on 8 February, he had the opportunity to discuss some of the issues surrounding the future of the plant with members of the Birmingham Economic Development Partnership.
§ Mr. BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the future of Rover's Longbridge plant. [70910]
§ Mr. BattleI welcome the confirmation given by BMW last year that the new Mini will be produced at Longbridge.
BMW's review of future medium vehicle production at Longbridge is still underway and no decision is expected immediately. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and the DTI are maintaining close links with BMW and will take every opportunity to represent the interests of Rover in an effort to secure the right investment outcome for the plant.
§ Mr. BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has had from the trade unions representing employees at Rover. [70914]
§ Mr. BattleMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and his predecessor have both maintained close contact with unions at Rover over Longbridge. Most recently, my right hon. Friend took the opportunity to talk to both unions and management when he visited the plant on Monday 8 February. He was grateful to both groups for giving him their views on the present situation.