Import controls Euro MP warns

18th October 1980, Page 7

18th October 1980

Page 7

Page 7, 18th October 1980 — Import controls Euro MP warns

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LAND workers should think twice before campaigning for imcontrols, a European MP warned last week. ALAN MILLAR )rts.

lichael Welsh (Lancashire ith, Conservative) was ressing a conference at Ley i which was organised by the algamated Union of Engiring Workers' Technical, Adlistrative and Supervisory tion in response to the curt recession.

e said it was an "unfortunate " that commercial vehicle Iding was always one of the t industries to feel.the effects slump, and suggested that tish membership of the .opean Monetary System jht help improve matters. ,gainst some hostile calls -n the body of the meeting, Welsh said he fully appre:ed that import controls might the easiest way of dealing h the problem.

But it is a fact that 47 per cent the production of Leyland 'ides went for export, and t would be put at risk if we ik measures against our corn.itors."

le added: "You are going to re to sell your products in rope. If you start discriminat

against them, they'll discrinate .against you."

fhe conference, which took place against the background of one of three complete shutdowns at the Lancashire factories, heard TASS call for selective import controls, a national type approval scheme, a ban on all "back-door" imports such as Hino from Ireland, and an end to public expenditure cuts which prevent authorities from buying new lorries and buses.

It wants the new bus grant scheme to be kept, advocating new investment be poured into Leyland Vehicles — particularly in the foundry and engine machining area — lower interest rates on Government loans, and the present size of LV to be maintained.

Endorsing the call for national type approval, the British Road Federation's Albert Ingram said the time had come for Transport Minister Norman Fowler to "get his finger out".

And he added that LV workers could take a leaf out of the Llan .

wern steel workers' book by going out to lost customers to find out why they are no longer buying British vehicles and try to persuade them otherwise. The two-way flow of information could only help LV, he said.