Andrew Miller, MP for Ellesmere Port & Neston, is delighted that the Government, led by the Prime Minister, has been so positive in its support for Vauxhall Ellesmere Port.

Andrew Miller said:
“The Prime Minister’s unambiguous commitment during Question Time yesterday (6th May) is an important signpost for any potential investors with an interest in Vauxhall.
“Today, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Minister, Ian Pearson, not only reinforced the Prime Minister’s commitment but went on to confirm details of the scrappage scheme which will also benefit Vauxhall.”

The House of Commons exchanges referred to follow:

Hansard – 6th May 2009
Q7. [272708] Kelvin Hopkins (Luton, North) (Lab): I am sure that my right hon. Friend agrees that it is absolutely vital to retain what we have left of British manufacturing. In recent days, there has been speculation about the future of the General Motors plants in Britain—in Ellesmere Port and in Luton. Will he undertake to do everything possible and necessary to ensure that those plants stay open and that we keep those jobs in Britain?

The Prime Minister: We are in regular touch with every one of the major car companies in Britain. As my hon. Friend knows, proposals arising from Fiat in relation to Chrysler and General Motors are being discussed. There is another Canadian bidder looking at trying to move into Europe. A number of issues have to be discussed in relation to these offers. We are determined to protect our Ellesmere Port and Luton operations of General Motors. We are also determined to help Jaguar Land Rover and all the other companies that exist in our country—Honda, Toyota, Nissan—and we are determined, as he knows, to help LDV, as we have done, to give the company a loan that enables it to complete due diligence on a new bid that is being made for it. Where we have had requests, we have been prepared to consider them and, in many cases, to take the action that is necessary.

Hansard – 7th May 2009
Andrew Miller (Ellesmere Port and Neston) (Lab): Every Member who supports manufacturing industry will support the statements on the vehicle industry that the Prime Minister made yesterday in response to my hon. Friend the Member for Luton, North (Kelvin Hopkins), which can be found in column 169. The publication of the details of the scrappage scheme is imminent, and other changes are being introduced, so will the Minister assure the House that the Government will keep on the pressure and maximise the support for these successful industries, which deserve the support of the whole House?

Ian Pearson: I welcome what my hon. Friend says. The scrappage scheme will be operational on 18 May. It will provide further support on the demand side to encourage people to buy new automobiles—the industry has welcomed that—and will build on the £2.3 billion automotive assistance package that we announced some months ago. The car industry in the UK is of strategic importance to the UK economy, and he will know the importance of the facility at Ellesmere Port, in his constituency, to the region too. We want to do all that we sensibly can to ensure that discussions continue about the future of General Motors Europe, and we are working closely with the German Administration on these issues. We want to continue to ensure that we deliver for the automotive industry the packages of measures that we have announced.

Ends
7th May 2009

For further comment please contact Andrew Miller MP on 020 7219 3580 or 0151 357 3019.