HC Deb 24 March 1988 vol 130 cc221-2W
25. Mr. Nicholas Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how he assesses the cost effectiveness of the shipbuilding subsidies paid to Harland and Wolff.

Mr. Stanley

Cost effectiveness is assessed by reference to factors such as cost per man year by comparison with the potential cost of creating alternative jobs; the restoration of long-term competitiveness particularly through improving productivity and the rationalisation of physical facilities; and the maintenance of employment elsewhere in the economy.