Big three bail out

The White House has given a relaxed initial reaction to a plan by Democrats in Congress for a $15 billion bailout of three big US car firms.



According to aides to President George Bush, the plan did not give enough assurance that only viable companies would get longer-term government help.



Under the proposal, the government is expected to take non-voting shares in General Motors, Ford and Chrysler.



Although the White House did not give its immediate approval to the plan, analysts say an agreement could be signed into law by the end of the week.



The bosses of General Motors, Ford and Chrysler have appeared before Congress in recent weeks insisting that without financial help they risked collapse.