Ratan Tata attacks British govt on its record on manufacturing

London, May 10 (PTI) India's leading industrialist Ratan
Tata, who runs Corus and Jaguar Land Rover, has criticised the
British government's record on manufacturing, saying it does
not appear to care about the sector.

"My concern is that the government does not appear to
care about the manufacturing sector or doesn't seem to
consider it really part of the economy," UK-based paper The
Sunday Times said in its website.

At the same time, he said praised UK Prime Minister
Gordon Brown saying, "He is a very sincere person. I have to
believe he is genuine in his desire to see British industry
supported. There hasn't been implementation of that desire."

JLR has failed in its attempts to get loan guarantees
from the government and is understood to have refused an
offer from officials last week, rejecting conditions that
would have given the government a degree of management
control.

Stating that he does not seek a bailout for JLR or Corus,
Tata said, "The government controls the banks and all I seek
is facilitation of access to credit on commercial terms. Not a
bail out".

According the report, Tata said Britain risked "losing
the wealth of the nation" through its disregard for industry.

"The government either doesn't realise it or chooses not
to consider it important."

Tata, one of the largest inward investors in Britain owns
JLR and Corus, which together employ 40,000 people. It also
owns Tetley Tea.

Last week Corus had said it was likely to lay off 3,000
workers on Teesside.

Tata said he had been surprised by his experience at JLR
and Corus. "We were amazed because the whole Coventry and
Birmingham area is full of high skills in design and
automotive engineering". PTI HSR
AM