§ 46. Mr. Douglasasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a further statement on developments relating to the future of the yards in the Upper Clyde.
§ Mr. EmeryMr. Harbin of the Marathon Manufacturing Company has 1057 agreed to come to London for further discussions about his company's possible acquisition of the Clydebank yard and will be meeting tomorrow my right hon. Friend the Minister for Industrial Development.
§ Mr. DouglasI welcome that reply. Can we have an assurance from the Minister that the top management of Govan Shipbuilders is not likely to undergo further changes and that the disquieting Press reports about Mr. Kenneth Douglas can be denied and that he will give full-time attention to stabilising employment in Govan Shipbuilders Ltd.?
§ Mr. EmeryThe Government will take all possible steps within the existing powers to encourage the purchase of the yard. This is what hon. Members on both sides want. I assure the House that my right hon. Friend the Minister for Industrial Development has given, is giving, and will continue to give every consideration to this matter.
§ Mr. Bruce-GardyneCan my hon. Friend assure the House that full details of any agreement which may be reached with Mr. Harbin of the Marathon Manufacturing Company will be placed in the Library of the House, including full details of monitoring procedure for any sums provided to that company?
§ Mr. EmeryI will certainly draw that question to the attention of my right hon. Friend. Obviously some of this may be commercial information, and there are problems which might arise in that regard. I will consider the matter fully.