World at One - 24/04/2009

New figures show that the British economy has experienced its sharpest fall since 1979 and biggest fall in manufacturing output since records began. Concern continues to surround the car industry, with separate figures showing a fall in over 50 per cent in the production of new cars compared to the January to March period of 2008. The chief executive of the West Midlands Chamber of Commerce gives his thoughts. Campaigners have condemned as scandalous new rules giving more Gurkhas the right to live in Britain. The actress Joanna Lumley, who has backed the Gurkhas' campaign, tells us that the new criteria are unattainable. Phil Woolas, the immigration minister, responds. And as India sends a delegation to Sri Lanka to urge a truce in fighting between the Tamil Tigers and Sri Lankan government troops, a Labour MP tells us that Sri Lanka should be expelled from the Commonwealth if they fail to heed UN advice. The UN humanitarian affairs chief, Sir John Holmes, joins us.