asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans Rover group has for its South African operation.

I understand that Rover Group is announcing today that a proposal has been received from a number of executives from its wholly-owned subsidiary, Leyland South Africa, to acquire the share capital and activities of that company. This proposal has come forward in the course of a commercial review of the business.Discussions to explore the feasibility of the proposal are being held between Rover Group, and its advisers and local managers in South Africa.