Thatcher Sees Anti-American Tone in Debate

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher today claimed anti-Americanism was being deliberately fostered in Britain by opponents of plans to sell parts of the British Leyland vehicle firm to General Motors.

“I fear some anti-Americanism has been aroused, and I fear some deliberately, in the United Kingdom about the future of British Leyland,” Thatcher told the House of Commons.

Her remarks appeared to be part of a concerted effort to defend the government against opposition charges that it is selling out British industry, including Westland helicopters, to the Americans.

Welcomes Investment

An hour earlier, the chairman of the ruling Conservative Party, Norman Tebbit, told the American Chamber of Commerce the government welcomes investment from abroad.

“I deeply regret that self-styled serious contenders for high political office should be willing to damage both our Anglo-American friendship and indeed the prospects for jobs in Britain by using dirty and cheap anti-Americanism in pursuit of dirty and cheap votes for dirty and cheap political parties,” Tebbit said.

The state-run British Leyland has been negotiating with GM for the last nine months for the sale of its Land Rover and truck divisions.