§ 52. Mr. Dykesasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the comparative implications for defence policy of the latest proposals for the financial reconstruction of Westland plc.
§ Mr. Norman LamontI have nothing to add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 15 January 1986 at column 1097. As she said then, the Government's concern is to see a financial reconstruction of Westland as soon as possible which maintains a British helicopter design, development and manufacturing capability, supports United Kingdom participation in collaboration with NATO Allies and safeguards the interests of the company, its employees, and its shareholders.
The Prime Minister also said that she believed both sets of proposals put to the company could achieve these objectives and hoped that the shareholders would be able to take their final decision very shortly.