40. Mr. Edward Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a further statement on the position of the shipyards in Upper Clydeside.
§ Sir J. EdenWith regard to Govan Shipbuilders I have nothing to add to my right hon. Friend's announcement on 28th February. With regard to Clydebank, officials visited Houston last week to discuss with the Marathon Manufacturing Company the details of its plans should it acquire the yard. At the end of the visit my officials issued a Press statement, which is given at the end of this reply. We now await the company's formal application for financial assistance which will be given urgent consideration.
Following is the statement that was made by British Officials at the end of their discussions last week with Marathon Manufacturing Company in Houston, Texas:
"The discussions we have had with Mr. Wayne Harbin and his colleagues during the past three days have been very friendly and very full.
Marathon have provided us with further details of the Clydebank project which have given us a clearer understanding of their proposals. They also gave us the opportunity to see their similar operations at Vicksburg, Mississippi and Brownsville, Texas.
The talks covered a wide range of subjects on which Marathon needed further information.
Marathon have expressed their intention of putting in next week an application for financial assistance to the Department of Trade and Industry in London.
Both sides agreed that our visit here has been well worth while."