New Clause 12

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 8:30 pm on 11 February 1980.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Mr Stanley Thorne Mr Stanley Thorne , Preston South 8:30, 11 February 1980

I shall not make a lengthy speech because I do not want to repeat the arguments.

It is a pity that yet again important legislation involving one of our major industries is being debated when only about a dozen hon. Members are in the Chamber. I do not wish to devalue the contribution by my hon. Friend the Member for Nuneaton (Mr. Huckfield), but there has been little representation on the Opposition Front Benches by my right hon. Friends who should be leading the fight against this measure. I have a feeling that some of my right hon. and hon. Friends are not particularly perturbed about the loss of the aerospace industry. I believe that it is a tragedy that a publicly owned enterprise such as this is to be passed to private hands.

It is estimated that 75 per cent. of the world's production will be in the hands of 300 companies by 1985. It is possible that the control of the aerospace industry will shift outside the United Kingdom to one of those 300 multinational companies. I hope that the Minister will reassure us that that cannot happen. Time alone will tell.

I am sorry to have to dissociate myself from amendment No. 16. It could lead to our being misunderstood. We could subsequently be accused of having been racialist in our proposal. I represent a constituency with a considerable number of Asians and others who have come to reside in Britain.