I must confess that when I came into the House this morning I did not expect that I should be replying to this debate. In view of the small amount of time that I have had to prepare for it, I hope that my hon. Friends will accept that if I try to reply to the matters which they have raised in as much detail as possible, they must not expect too much and that as regards other details on which they have sought information I shall let them have that later if I cannot furnish it tonight.

I want first to pay tribute to the work which has been done over the past four years by the Lucas shop stewards. There is no doubt that a tremendous amount of energy, effort and endeavour have been put into the preparation of the corporate plan.