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Mr. Bellingham: My hon. Friend will remember that the hon. Member for Workington (Mr. Campbell-Savours) said that there were recognised trade unions at all Campbell's plants throughout the country. Is he aware that the staff at the factory at King's Lynn have been given the opportunity on a number of occasions to have trade union representation, but have opted for an advisory committee? Indeed, they have had many recent opportunities to reverse that decision, but have decided not to.
Mr. Taylor: I am very interested to learn that. I was not, candidly speaking, aware of what my hon. Friend says. I am very glad that he has put it on the record, however.
Mr. Campbell-Savours: Perhaps I may tell the Minister that the King's Lynn work force is one of the lowest paid in the processed food industry in the whole of the UK.
Mr. Taylor: This evening might have been more interesting if we had had a debate between thehon. Member for Workington and my hon. Friend the Member for North-West Norfolk (Mr. Bellingham).I have a role to discharge, however, and limited time in which to do so.
Inward investors add significant strength to our industrial economy. Overseas-owned manufacturers provide a third of all manufacturing investment, nearly a fifth of manufacturing employment, over one fifth of manufacturing output, and about two fifths of UK-manufactured exports. The Government are determined to maintain this enviable record. We must be competitive to attract inward investment.
Britain has many attractions for the inward investor: a strong economy, a pro-business environment and the world language. We also have no foreign exchange controls or restrictions on sending profits abroad. Britain
offers the best available combination of a skilled and flexible work force, low taxes, lower production costs and a mature system of law. These are all good reasons for the United Kingdom's success.
Mr. Michael Jopling (Westmorland and Lonsdale):
Does my hon. Friend understand that this whole matter has caused a great deal of unhappiness in Cumbria? I have asked Campbell's to look at the matter again, but have not heard from the company. Will the Minister do the same?
Mr. Taylor:
With only seconds to go, all that I can tell my right hon. Friend is that I shall certainly reflect on
The closure of the site in the hon. Gentleman's constituency is, I recognise, an unwelcome event. With the assistance of Government support, through regional selective assistance and other services on offer, I hope that another employer may be able to move into the plant, but let me emphasise again that the closure of the plant reflects Campbell's commercial decision, and it would be wrong for the Government to intervene.
Question put and agreed to.
Adjourned accordingly at thirteen minutes to Eleven o'clock.
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