So although the merger of EADS and BAE collapsed because the German government was not prepared to let go of the enlarged business, the fact that Germany is not prepared to give EADS its commercial freedom is of relevance to the UK's manufacturing future - at a time when Britain would be seen to have far too few hi-tech manufacturing jobs.

BBC: How Germany killed the merger of BAE and EADS

Leps have so much ground to cover - tourism, hi-tech manufacturing, broadband, accessing EU money - but they haven't got the resources to do it.

BBC: Local Enterprise Partnerships face financial challenge

Besides being used for hi-tech gadgets, the elements are also crucial for manufacturing low-carbon resources such as wind turbines, solar panels and electric cars, said David Danielson, the US assistant secretary for renewable energy.

BBC: US to build $120m rare earth research institute