HC Deb 03 March 1971 vol 812 cc459-60W
Mr. McMaster

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a further statement about the future of Harland and Wolff.

Mr. John Davies

The Northern Ireland Government are announcing today their intention to provide financial support to this company under its present ownership but with a considerably strengthened management. Details or the financial support to be provided will be announced by the Northern Ireland Government in due course.

The United Kingdom Government accept that this provides the best prospect of restoring the yard to viability, providing a stable source of employment in Belfast. The Northern Ireland Government are making it clear that once this support has been provided there can be no question of further continuing support from public funds. We fully agree with this attitude. The yard has now facilities equal to any in the world and it must rest with the company, its management and labour force together, to make full and effective use of these facilities so as to restore the yard to prosperity.