In late 2009 I emailed you that Barnes Precision Engineering (of Detroit) was closing down its small factory in Hoddesdon, Herts, which I was told was Europe's only supplier of stamped valves for car A/C compressors. The presses were to shipped to their Singapore and Brazilian operations. At that time Toyota wasn't happy with the resulting length of supply chain for these components that apparently have a 'use by' date.

Last year, volcanic ash from Iceland interfered with 'just-in-time' strategies, but nobody seemed to have learned the lesson and invested in securing homemade supplies. Now, surprise, surprise one year on, the Tsunami has given all motor manufacturers a global hit with disrupted supplies, to the point where Vauxhall executives were warning that the future of UK car production is at risk unless we begin to manufacture more parts here. I wonder where Europe is sourcing valves for A/C compressors now? Whatever happens, the UK is still an island nation. Now more than ever it is an economy totally dependent on foreign imports, and, after one dependent on foreign creditors to fund a lifestyle it can't afford.