Alvis at a standstill

roduction at the Alvis works in Coventry, British Leyland's military vehicle division, was again at a standstill yesterday because of a strike by 82 inspectors. The rest of the 1,500 production force is laid off. The inspectors say the company has refused to honour a promise to deal with their demand for a £50 plus weekly wage.

A company spokesman said yesterday: "We are willing to negotiate on the basis of a new company-wide pay structure already put to the unions."

However; the inspectors, who meet again tomorrow, insist on separate negotiations. They say thev were promised the new wage deal "when legislation permitted ".

British Leyland also has rumblings of trouble at its Jaguar engines plant In Coventry. Some 115 toolroom workers went on strike two weeks ago over a claim for restoration of pay differentials. They have since returned to work but negotiations on their demands are continuing.