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Dept of Trade and Industry

Answer

Mr. Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the operation of the Rover Task Force. [142124] Jacqui Smith: The Rover Task Force (RTF) was set up in 2000 to look at the potential effects on the region's economy of the then expected decline of Rover and its supply industry--which was a severe risk at the time of the BMW withdrawal from the company. The report it produced has been carried forward primarily by Advantage West Midlands (the RDA). It remains one of the best examples of speedy response to a crisis coupled with long-term action to address structural change. There are three themes arising from the RTF: Modernisation--support to the automotive supply chain in its continuous improvement activity; Diversification--promotion of and support to encourage businesses to engage in new activity to enable the region to be less dependent on its traditional industries; and Regeneration--the creation of High Tech Corridors to support the modernisation and diversification of the region's economy by attracting and developing more high tech, high value added businesses by virtue of the presence of research institutions, universities and property opportunities. Modernisation and Diversification projects are continuing with spend on target and outputs exceeding or in line with expectations. For example, at end of 2002-03 over 2,500 jobs have been safeguarded against a target of 1,700. Equally on the Regeneration agenda, a strategy is in place for High Tech Corridors to provide long-term sustainable development of the region.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

142124; 417 c90W;417 c89-90W

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Modernisation Regeneration Rover Group Task forces Diversification

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk