Ford UK chairman to be questioned over Dagenham future

The head of the car giant Ford's UK operations will today be grilled over the company's plans for its plant at Dagenham, east London.

The head of the car giant Ford's UK operations will today be grilled over the company's plans for its plant at Dagenham, east London.

Members of the Greater London Authority have summoned Ian McAllister, chairman of Ford of Britain, under its powers to investigate issues of London-wide significance. The GLA has also summoned John Crew, Ford's UK director of manufacturing.

Ford announced last month it was ending car production at the plant to concentrate on engine building work. The move is expected to lead to an estimated 1,900 job losses. The US car giant has said production will be wound down from early 2002 but has promised $500m (£330m) of investment to create 500 new jobs. On Friday more than 1,000 workers spent their last day at the factory after accepting redundancy.

Sally Hanwee, deputy chair of the assembly, said she was concerned about the closure's impact on the capital. "The assembly will examine the position of the Ford Motor Company and then work with local authorities, trade unions and other local representatives to find a way forward."

The Government has already announced a10-point regeneration plan to help soften the impact of closure on the local economy.

The package includes job shops at Dagenham, loans for small business schemes and a joint scheme between the Employment Service and Ford.