HL Deb 16 June 1977 vol 384 cc292-3

3.12 p.m.

Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government to make a detailed Statement on the result of the representations made by the General Council for British Shipping about the financial arrangements recently made with Poland.

Lord WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, the Government have taken full account of the representations made by the General Council of British Shipping about the financial arrangements for the Polish deal. I can gladly repeat and relate to the Polish deal the assurance given by my noble friend the Minister of State for Northern Ireland to the noble Lord, Lord Inverforth, during the Second Reading of the Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Bill on 8th March 1977—that the shipbuilding intervention fund will not be used to place United Kingdom shipowners at a disadvantage compared with overseas customers.

Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDE

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that Answer, may I ask him whether the Polish buyers are obtaining only ordinary, commercial terms? That would be a very important statement to have. Have we yet released the actual financial terms which were finally agreed on this very important matter? It is particularly important to the Chamber of Shipping.

Lord WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, negotiations are still going on, but it is our firm intention to abide by our international obligations in negotiating financial arrangements for the deal. In addition, negotiations are also being conducted with a view to concluding the deal on commercial terms.

Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDE

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that answer, may I ask whether he is aware that on 23rd December details were being negotiated in the general interest of shipping, shipbuilding and all these problems? Is it not taking a very long time to arrive at a conclusion? Why has it taken so long?

Lord WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, the deal is a very big one for 22 bulk carriers. The financial arrangements are somewhat sophisticated. For this reason, they must go forward in a proper, thorough way to ensure that the criteria to which I referred are in fact obeyed.

Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDE

My Lords, will they be published?

Lord WINTERBOTTOM

Yes, my Lords; an announcement will be made.