The Prime minister told the House of Commons today that he had raised the issue of Group Lotus with the Malaysian Prime Minister and its new owners.

The Prime minister today told the House of Commons that he had raised the issue of Group Lotus with the Malaysian prime minister and its new owners.

During Prime Minister's Questions South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon said 1,200 jobs could be at risk because of the company's recent change of ownership.

He asked if the Prime Minister would put all possible pressure on the Malaysian Government to ensure that DRB-HICOM permits the sale of the business only to buyers who wish to see it continue as a going concern in Norfolk.

David Cameron said: 'I raised this issue with the Malaysian Prime Minister and with the new Malaysian owners of Lotus's parent company. Lotus makes a key contribution to the UK automotive sector. The sector is doing well and I want to see Lotus succeed and to have a secure future. We are in contact with the company, monitoring the situation very closely and ensuring that it knows about the regional growth fund money that is available.'