§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions Ministers in his Department have met(a) representatives of trade unions at Harland and Woolf shipyard, (b) officials of the Department of Economic Development and (c) lay members representing the trade unions at Harland and Woolf to discuss the future of the shipyard; when the last such meeting was held; and what future meetings are planned. [120497]
§ Mr. IngramSince October 1999 Ministers, including those in the Northern Ireland Executive, have had three main meetings with representatives of trade unions at Harland and Woolf and a series of meetings with Departmental officials to discuss matters in relation to the shipyard.
The most recent Ministerial meeting with trade unions was on 23 March 2000. Ministers receive written briefings from officials on at least a weekly basis and meetings with officials will take place as required. Future meetings with trade unions and officials will take place as necessary.