§ Mr. Craigasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has used Section 7 of the Industry Act 1972 in respect of Harland and Wolff Ltd. since it was taken into public ownership.
§ Mr. ConcannonHarland and Wolff Ltd. was taken into public ownership in August 1975 under the Shipbuilding Industry (No. 2) (Northern Ireland) Order 1975. On one occasion since then Section 7 of the Industry Act 1972 has been used in respect of the company. On 5th March 1976 performance guarantees under powers conferred by that section were given by the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, in extension of existing guarantees given previously by the Secretary of State for Industry to Maritime Fruit Carriers, to Coastal States Gas of Houston, Texas, that company having taken over from Maritime Fruit Carriers responsibility for two VLCCs—ships 1704 and 1705—in the Harland and Wolff order book.