News Release

18th April 2002

FABRICANT TELLS ROBIN COOK OF NEW THREAT TO CAR INDUSTRY IN THE WEST MIDLANDS

In Questions to the Leader of the House, Robin Cook, today (Thursday, 18th April) in the Commons Chamber, Michael Fabricant reminded the House of Commons of the crisis in the car industry. With both the Ford assembly plant in Dagenham and Vauxhall Motors in Luton closed, and the damage already done to West Midlands exporters by the closure of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link to freight, Michael asked whether the Commons can have an urgent debate on the new "Tax on Jobs: the one percent rise in employers' National Insurance payments". He told Robin Cook that it would have been "more honest" to have put the 1% on income tax and that "Labour intensive industries, such as car manufacturing will be hit hard by this additional 1% on cost on employing staff."

Robin Cook evaded answering the question directly, but said the money was needed for the NHS.

Michael Fabricant now says: "Having received a non-answer from Robin Cook, I will be writing to the Speaker to request a full debate to discuss rising unemployment levels in manufacturing and the likely further rise following the budget. I will wish to raise the stark problems being faced in the West Midlands and the increased threat to the automotive industry in particular".