§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Industry what representations he has received about the Esso ethylene plant at Moss Morran, Fife, with particular reference to the purchase of process plant by the contractors for the new plant, the Lummus Co. Ltd.; if it is his policy that financial assistance should be directed to purchase British manufactured equipment and plant; and what is the total amount of grants given for this project.
§ Mr. MacGregorNone relating specifically to the purchase of power plant for the Esso ethylene plant. There have, however, been a number of representations from the Process Plant Association and others emphasising the importance of the entire Moss Morran project for the British process plant industry. As has always been the practice, financial assistance under the Industry Act 1972 is not conditional on buying British goods. Nevertheless, the Department has maintained close contact with Esso to ensure that British suppliers have full and fair opportunity to compete and Esso have responded very positively to give the widest possible range of United Kingdom suppliers opportunities to bid. No grants have yet been given for this project.