§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Industry how much of the £299 million given or committed by the taxpayer to United Kingdom shipbuilding referred to in his speech of 2nd December has been given or committed to the yards now wholly or partly in public ownership; what percentage this figure bears to the total of £299 million; and, of the remaining funds, how much represents grants and how much loans repayable with interest.
§ Mr. CarmichaelThe £299 million in Government aid to shipbuilding since 1966 mentioned in the Second Reading debate did not include about £30 million provided, before and after liquidation, to Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited, which is no longer an operating company. It included assistance to all existing companies, including Harland & Wolff Limited. Of the £299 million, approximately £234 million—78 per cent.—related to companies now partly or wholly Government-owned. Of the remainder, an estimated £44 million represents grants and £21 million interest-bearing loans. In producing these figures, construction grant commitments have been broadly apportioned.