FUTURE OF THE LONGBRIDGE ROVER PLANT

Early day motion 575, tabled 29 March 2000 by Lynne Jones (Labour). Signed by 82 members.

That this House congratulates the Rover Group trade unions for their organisation of the march and rally on Saturday 1st April in support of the Rover workers at Longbridge; believes that this will be an opportunity for the people of Birmingham and the West Midlands to express solidarity with the workers whose jobs and livelihoods are threatened and to campaign for a long-term future for the Rover Longbridge plant; welcomes the prompt action taken by the Government to set up the Special Task Force to stand by the local community and to build on the success of Birmingham City Council in attracting new investment into Birmingham and the wider region; and calls on BMW to open its books to the sponsors of any credible proposal to retain volume car production at Longbridge and on the Government to give all possible support to such a venture.

Signatures by party: Labour 72, Liberal Democrat 5, Labour/Co-operative 4, Independent Labour 1.