asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he intends to issue a direction to the National Enterprise Board for it to transfer Rolls-Royce to him; and if he will make a statement.

The Government are considering ways in which the current difficulties in the relationship between Rolls-Royce and the NEB can best be resolved. In any case the Government have no power at the moment to issue such a direction.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what representations he has received recommending that Rolls-Royce should be removed from any connection with the National Enterprise Board.

The board of Rolls-Royce has drawn attention to difficulties which it finds in the existing relationship with the NEB.