HC Deb 08 February 1973 vol 850 cc627-8
6. Mr. Duffy

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he is yet in a position to make a statement on the terms and conditions of the recent injection of public funds into Harland and Wolff.

Mr. David Howell

The Ministry of Commerce has made a formal offer of assistance to Harland and Wolff Ltd. in connection with the company's expansion scheme. The terms and conditions of the offer are presently under discussion between the company and the Ministry.

Mr. Duffy

Does the Minister recall that when the Secretary of State made the original announcement about aid last May I asked him to impress upon the workers at Harland and Wolff that in return for the generosity of the British taxpayer they should give their wholehearted support to the Secretary of State's policies? In view of yesterday's shut-down at Harland and Wolff, does the Minister not think that unless there is a fundamental change of direction there, as elsewhere in Northern Ireland, there is no prospect of that support or of a corresponding movement towards a balanced work force at Harland and Wolff?

Mr. Howell

In many areas of work and in many industries there was a shutdown yesterday, not always as a result of the wishes of the people, some of whom would have liked to work. Let us be clear about that. But the general performance of Harland and Wolff in industrial terms, at both shop-floor and management level, has been highly credit- able and a triumph for the determination to keep Ulster still in business through the very difficult circumstances in which it has had to operate.

Mr. Speaker

Order. I have allowed a Private Notice Question about what happened yesterday.

Mr. McMaster

Is the Minister aware that the management of Harland and Wolff, in whom we have every confidence, is determined that there will be no discrimination in employment by the company? Does the House not welcome the magnificent order won by the company recently?

Mr. Howell

I am sure that the House will welcome that magnificent order. As to the specific subject of discrimination, as I have said before from this Dispatch Box the chairman, directors and management of Harland and Wolff have given clear assurances that their recruiting policy is, and will continue to be, one of non-discrimination. I believe that that is now being reflected in the current recruiting figures.

Mr. Orme

Will the Minister draw the attention mainly of members of my trade union, the AEUW, to the fact that British taxpayers' money is sustaining Harland and Wolff? While we would support them in any trade union activity we cannot support them in sectarian activity. Will he therefore draw that to their attention because the company's survival may depend upon such matters?

Mr. Howell

I am sure that the members of the hon. Member's trade union will note what he said.