Leyland workers agree £41m plan
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BRITISH LEYLAND'S plan to reorganise the Truck and Bus group got a major boost last week.
Workers at the Albion plant in Glasgow gave the green light to a £41m development scheme that will, it is claimed, eventually create 2,000 jobs.
The move is part of a major reinvestment programme for Truck and Bus (CM October 1) and mean the end of chassis production at Albion. . The works will now concentrate on making gearboxes, rear axles and suspension units for Leyland's light and medium weight commercials.
Chassis production is being switched to the nearby Bathgate factory. This plant is also being redeveloped with a E15m programme to increase output and expand engine production.
The changes at the Scotstoun Albion plant have been held up for almost six months by the unions because some skilled jobs will be lost.
There will now be top level talks aimed at protecting workers interests during the transition period.
Mr Alex Park, British Leyland's managing director, said recently that there had been chronic underinvestment in Truck and Bus operations.
He revealed that a major reinvestment programme is planned but he would not put a figure on overall expenditure.
THE GOVERNMENT is willing to consider if anything can be done to safeguard the interests of emigrants using removal firms, but it will not bring these activities under the operators' licensing system.
This emerged in Commons statements last week when Ministers were questioned about Losses suffered recently by emigrants.
Mr Marcus Fox (Tory, Shipley), who raised the matter, was told by Mr John Fraser, Minister of State for Prices and Consumer Protection, that he was considering what further steps might be necessary to safeguard emigrants' interests.
He had recently written to the High Commissioners for Australia, Canada and New Zealand drawing their attention to the need for prospective emigrants to be advised to use only reliable and reputable firms for transporting their effects.
Mr Fox pointed out to Transport mister Mr William Rodgers that two firms of forwarding agents had recently collapsed, resulting in losses for over 600 migrants to Australia.
He asked the Minister to all firms offering removal services to the general public.
But Mr Rodgers turned down this suggestion. The operators' licensing system, he said, was designed to ensure high standards of lorry operation, mainly in the context of road safety. It was not a guarantee to customers against the commercial failure of a business.