§ 10. Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Industry what representations he has received from private sector ship repair companies about the state of the ship repair industry; whether he will publish such representations and his reply; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButcherThe main thrust of the numerous letters and representations we have received from the private sector ship repair companies have been about unfair competition from British Shipbuilders' ship repair subsidies. I do not propose to publish these letters. We have made clear to Sir Robert Atkinson the Government's concern that the private sector should not be undermined by public sector losses. He has taken action to endeavour to bring British Shipbuilders ship repair to viability.