UK ROLLING STOCK MANUFACTURING

Early day motion 560, tabled 4 February 2004 by Rob Marris (Labour). Signed by 43 members.

That this House notes with profound concern reports of the intention of Bombardier Transportation Limited to review its European operations, which could lead to the closure of United Kingdom sites; further notes that, given Alsthom's intention to close its Washwood Heath site in Birmingham, the United Kingdom could face the prospect of train and rolling stock manufacturing ceasing in the United Kingdom, meaning that the country which gave birth to railways could end up making no rolling stock or trains of its own; and calls upon the Government to take prompt action to try to find a viable solution, to ensure that train and rolling stock manufacturing continues in the United Kingdom, particularly since, with rail passenger and freight usage in the United Kingdom growing, there is surely a sound business case to be made for the manufacturing of reliable railway rolling stock and trains in the United Kingdom, both for import substitution and for export.

Signatures by party: Labour 31, Labour/Co-operative 5, Liberal Democrat 4, Conservative 1, DUP 1, Plaid Cymru 1.