Leyland workers return

THE GUARDIAN

More than eight thousand production workers employed at the five Lancashire factories of British Leyland today return to work after their strike. It will be the first day's production at the factories in Leyland and Chorley since the men walked out on May 16 over a piece rate dispute.

It will also be the first day back for workers in the Albion motor works, Glasgow, and the Jaguar plant, Coventry. The Albion works, which had 2,500 men laid off because of the Leyland dispute, depend on the, Leyland plants for their supply, of diesel engines. The return for the 2,000 laid off at the Jaguar plant which relies on British Leyland for cylinder blocks, is expected to be phased for today.

It is hoped to resume full production by the middle of the week. The Leyland management hopes that suppliers of raw materials and parts will be able to speedily clear the backlog of supplies awaiting delivery. Work will be resumed today on three big export orders for Australia, Iran and South Africa, now five weeks behind'schedule.

The general manager of British Leyland's bus and truck division, Mr Ron Ellis, said yesterday: ''I have been into the factories, over the weekend. I do not expect any undue snags."