§ 33. Mr. McMasterasked the Minister of Transport what sums are being made available by way of grant or other assistance to shipbuilding yards in Scotland, the north-east of England, Liverpool and Belfast, respectively.
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettWe have no power to offer financial assistance to shipyards. However, shipyards in development districts in Great Britain are eligible for grants and loans under the Local Employment Acts, which are administered by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry and Trade. There are similar arrangements in Northern Ireland which are the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Government.
Some shipyards have been assisted in this way, but I understand that it is not possible to give the figures for which my hon. Friend is asking without breaching commercial confidences.
§ Mr. McMasterMay I ask my hon. and gallant Friend whether he is aware that that is an unsatisfactory Answer, because it is impossible to judge the relationship between the amount of assistance given and the unemployment needs of the particular areas affected? Will he look at this again to see whether he can give an answer, perhaps relating to tonnage, in such a way as to show up the information which I wished to gain?
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettIf my hon. Friend is implying that Northern Ireland is at a disadvantage in these matters compared with Great Britain, I can only say that we have no reason to think that that is so.