ASTRAZENECA, PFIZER AND THE BRITISH PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY

Early day motion 1303, tabled 30 April 2014 by Julian Huppert (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 20 members.

That this House notes the proposed takeover of AstraZeneca by Pfizer, in what would be the largest ever takeover of a British firm; further notes that AstraZeneca employs nearly 7,000 people in the UK and accounts for more than two per cent of UK goods exports; expresses concern about the future employment in the UK of staff currently working for AstraZeneca, including at the existing sites in Macclesfield and Alderley Park and the planned global headquarters and research and development site in Cambridge; and calls on the Government to act as necessary to protect employment and skills in the UK, ensure that the development of the new headquarters in Cambridge continues as planned, with the associated infrastructure needs, and ensure that the UK continues to be a world-leader in science and pharmaceuticals research and development.

Signatures by party: Labour 11, Liberal Democrat 3, DUP 2, Independent 2, Alliance 1, Plaid Cymru 1.