§ Mr. Juddasked the Minister of State for Defence what consultations he has had with Vosper Thornycroft and other naval shipbuilding firms on the implications for their competitive ability of the Government's new financial relationship with Yarrow Limited; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. KirkNo consultations of this sort have been necessary. As my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Defence made clear on 18th February, the existence of the loan to Yarrow Limited would be one of the factors taken into account for assessing future competitive tenders for warship contracts.—[Vol. 811, c.544–5.]
§ Mr. Juddasked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the administrative, management and employment consequences for the Royal Naval dockyards of the Government's new financial relationship with Yarrow Limited.
§ Mr. KirkThe arrangements with Yarrow Limited will not affect the administrative, management and employment situation in H.M. Dockyards.
§ Mr. Boothasked the Minister of State for Defence why the loan to be made to 113W Yarrow Shipbuilders is to be made by his Department instead of from the same source as other Government loans to shipyards.
§ Mr. KirkBecause of the importance of Yarrow (Shipbuilders) for the present orders and future programme of the Royal Navy.
§ Mr. Boothasked the Minister of State for Defence whether regard will be had to the loan made by his Department to Yarrow Shipbuilders in comparing its tenders for naval vessels with tenders from other shipyards, and in what way.
§ Mr. KirkAs my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Defence made clear on 18th February, the existence of the loan to Yarrow Limited would be one of the factors taken into account in assessing future competitive tenders for warship contracts.—[Vol. 811, c.544–5]
§ Mr. Boothasked the Minister of State for Defence whether the loan to be made by his Department to Yarrow Shipbuilders is conditional on their building only, or mainly, warships, and for what period.
§ Mr. Boothasked the Minister of State for Defence whether loans on similar terms to that to be made to Yarrow Ship-builders will be offered to other shipyards engaged principally in building warships.