CEEFAX 2 109 Thu 17 Sep 17:58/35
TORIES FEAR VICKERS CAME UNDER PRESSURE
The Tories have hinted that ministers
may have put pressure on defence firm
Vickers to close a tank plant in Leeds
rather than one in Newcastle.
Shadow Defence Secretary John Maples
said a further closure in the North
East would have been "politically
extremely damaging for the Government".
Most of the 700 jobs being axed by the
defence company will be in Leeds.
Mr Maples demanded assurances that the
decision was not politically motivated.
Parliament and politics digest... 144
News Index 102 Flash 150 Regional 160