FORD'S SOUTHAMPTON PLANT

That this House notes with concern the proposed downsizing of the Ford Motor Company's Southampton plant when a new model is introduced to replace the existing Transit; urges Ford to reconsider this decision in the light of the impact that this would have upon jobs in the home of the Transit, more widely in the travel to work area, and on the many component suppliers of the plant across the country; urges senior management to reconsider its plans in the light of the sharp fall in the pound over the period since they were formulated and in the light of the leading contribution that vehicle manufacture makes in maintaining the skilled engineering base of the nation; and welcomes statements by Ministers that they would be willing to meet Ford Motor Company to discuss legitimate assistance in ensuring the competitiveness of the plant.