HC Deb 03 May 1971 vol 816 cc260-1W
Mr. Merlyn Rees

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give the amount of grants and loans estimated to each shipbuilding firm in the financial year 1971–72.

Mr. Ridley

The amount of assistance to be provided by the Shipbuilding Industry Board to shipbuilding firms is a matter for negotiation between the Shipbuilding Industry Board and the firm concerned. To disclose estimates of the amount which individual firms may receive could be misleading and would be contrary to normal commercial practice. Details of loans or grants made by the S.I.B. will be published in due course in their Annual Report covering the financial year 1971–72.

Published estimates indicate that the Shipbuilding Industry Board expect to pay £2,635,000 in grants and £5 million in loans during this period.