Motor Industry

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Innovation, Universities and Skills – in the House of Commons at 10:30 am on 29 January 2009.

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Photo of John Denham John Denham Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills 10:30, 29 January 2009

It is not just a matter of being flexible, because we have indicated our willingness to do that. The compact that we have with the sector skills council for the manufacturing sector makes the use of the money much more flexible. Our ideal, actually, is to create a situation where within an area such as my hon. Friend's we can comprehensively address the whole sector—that is, the major lead manufacturer as well as the supply chain. Maintaining the supply chain is every bit as important at the moment as maintaining the main plant. That is what we are aiming to achieve.

As for west Cheshire—I know that my hon. Friend is ambitious for his college—we have been looking to ensure that the training capacity is already in place to enable us to gear up training for the car industry in the way that he describes.