§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Industry, of the £299 million in Government aid to shipbuilding referred to in his speech of 2nd December, how much consisted of construction grant commitments; how much of the balance, excluding these grants, has been given or committed to the yards now wholly or partly in public ownership; what percentage this is of the total; and what are the comparable figures, including the £30 million, provided to Upper Clyde Shipbuilders.
§ Mr. KaufmanThe £299 million in Government financial support included about £47 million construction grants covering both payments and estimated commitments. Of the balance of £252 million, some £220 million–87 per cent.—has been provided or committed to companies now wholly or partly in public ownership of which about £30 million was paid or committed before the Government took a shareholding. Including the assistance of about £30 million given to Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Ltd., which is no longer an operating company, would not produce a meaningful comparison.