§ Mr. Nicholas Brownasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent the United Kingdom shipbuilding industry has complied with previous European Economic Community directives in respect of restructuring proposals; and what information he has regarding the extent to which other European Economic Community member states have also complied.
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§ Mr. ButcherThe European Commission has been and continues to be satisfied that United Kingdom support for shipbuilding complies with the relevant EC directives. We have no access to the confidential information provided to the Commission by other member states in order to satisfy the Commission of their own compliance with these directives.
§ Mr. Nicholas Brownasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what commitments Her Majesty's Government have given to other European Community states with shipbuilding interests in relation to the further restructuring of the United Kingdom shipbuilding industry, with reference to the European Economic Community shipbuilding 5th directive.
§ Mr. ButcherNone. Discussions on restructuring are conducted with the Commission and not with other member states. We have explained to the Commission British Shipbuilders' current plans for privatisation of the warship yards and for regional reorganisation.