§ Mr. ClayTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on what occasions and for what purposes his Department has made formal complaints to the European Community Commissioner concerning breaches of the fifth or sixth directives on support for shipbuilding by other member states of the Community.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe have asked the European Commission to investigate the use of state aid in the following bids: from the Netherlands for a floating crane in April 1985 and two trawlers in October 1985; from France for a cross-channel ferry in January 1987; from Portugal for a fishing boat in May 1987; and from Spain for a stern trawler in March 1988. We have been concerned to ensure fairness of competition for United Kingdom yards with others within the Community.
§ Mr. ClayTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what information he has about the accrued losses of(a) the Italian, (b) the West German and (c) the French merchant shipbuilding industries since 1979.
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§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThis information is not available to us. The losses owners are prepared to bear is a matter for them.
§ Mr. ClayTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what information he has about the accrued losses of the South Korean shipbuilding industry since 1979.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThere is no reliable information.
§ Mr. ClayTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what has been, year by year since 1979, the amount of money provided by his Department to British Shipbuilders as intervention fund under the fifth and sixth directives of the European Community.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkePayments of intervention fund to British Shipbuilders since 1979 have amounted to £259 million. Year by year totals from 1979–80 have been £31 million, £40 million, £46 million, £44 million, £34 million, £18 million, £22 million, £14 million and £10 million, respectively. The figures include payments made under the fourth directive, which was effective until 27 April 1981. No payments have yet been made in 1988–89.