11 December 2008
Following the substantial bail-out package for the banks, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown asks about the policy on the use of taxpayers’ funds for future rescue packages.
Mr. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold) (Con): The Government have already introduced a substantial bail-out package for the banks, and there have been calls for them to do the same for the automotive sector. Will the Minister tell us precisely what the policy is on the use of further taxpayers’ funds for future rescue packages, to enable the half million employees in the sector to whom the Minister referred to know exactly what they can and cannot expect from their Government?
Ian Pearson: We were absolutely right to make the decision to recapitalise the banks. Even the Conservatives have welcomed that decision, although they have cavilled at measures such as our credit guarantee scheme. The scheme is effective, and by the end of the year some £100 billion worth of guarantees will have been issued.
As I have said, it is important for us, as a Government, to see what we can do to help viable businesses through difficult times. We are engaged in a contingency planning exercise and we are considering a number of possibilities, which is the right thing for us to do. We will continue to consider what further sensible measures we can take to support the automotive industry during the current incredibly difficult period.
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Mr. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold) (Con): The Government have already introduced a substantial bail-out package for the banks, and there have been calls for them to do the same for the automotive sector. Will the Minister tell us precisely what the policy is on the use of further taxpayers’ funds for future rescue packages, to enable the half million employees in the sector to whom the Minister referred to know exactly what they can and cannot expect from their Government?
Ian Pearson: We were absolutely right to make the decision to recapitalise the banks. Even the Conservatives have welcomed that decision, although they have cavilled at measures such as our credit guarantee scheme. The scheme is effective, and by the end of the year some £100 billion worth of guarantees will have been issued.
As I have said, it is important for us, as a Government, to see what we can do to help viable businesses through difficult times. We are engaged in a contingency planning exercise and we are considering a number of possibilities, which is the right thing for us to do. We will continue to consider what further sensible measures we can take to support the automotive industry during the current incredibly difficult period.
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