§ Dr. J. Dickson Mabonasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on the implementation of his proposals for the aircraft and shipbuilding industries.
§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Industry if, in view of the effects on the British shipbuilding industry's prospects of the uncertainty over the Government's nationalisation plans, he will now consider making a statement on the future of these plans.
§ Mr. VarleyThe Government attach the highest importance to ending delay and uncertainty in these two industries. Because of pressure of other legislation, it is not now possible for the Bill to complete its passage in the present Session. The Government have therefore decided that they will proceed with the Bill at the very earliest opportunity in the next Session, with a view to Royal Assent and vesting of the companies to be nationalised as early as possible in 1976. The safeguarding provisions already announced and embodied in the Bill continue in effect. The Government reserve the right, should there be any deliberate attempt to frustrate the objectives of public ownership, to introduce further safeguarding provisions which may be retrospective in their effect.
It is essential in the national interest that in the period until vesting the industries should operate on a vigorous and ongoing basis, that contracts should be efficiently fulfilled and that constructive planning for the future should go forward. The Government look to the industries to do this but are very ready to discuss with all parties in the industries what they can do to help. If directors should feel in any specific cases that the safeguarding provisions are impeding normal business transactions they should get in touch with my Department, which will do its best speedily to resolve any 356W uncertainty. I would expect such cases to be exceptional.