§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the effect of European Economic Community regulations on credit facilities which British Shipbuilders offered to a shipowner for the building of two ships in January 1982.
§ Mr. Peter Rees[pursuant to the reply, 9 February 1982, c. 301]: The credit facilities that British Shipbuilders have been able to offer within the terms of the OECD understanding have not been adversely affected by the European Community regulations on credit facilities.
§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) if Her Majesty's Government will seek to reverse the European Community regulations on matching aid and credit for the shipbuilding industry;
(2) if he will make a statement on the effects he anticipates European Community regulations on matching aid and credit for the shipbuilding industry will have on the industry in the United Kingdom;
(3) if he will list in the Official Report details of all the occasions when the European Economic Community 445W Commission has over-ruled the credit facilities offered to shipowners by British Shipbuilders in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. Peter Rees[pursuant to the reply, 9 February 1982, c. 301]: The operation of the European Community regulations on matching aid and credit for the shipbuilding industry is currently under discussion between the United Kingdom and the European Commission. I shall write again to the hon. Member as soon as possible.