HC Deb 03 August 1976 vol 916 cc744-5W
Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are now the prospects of a take-over by Short Bros. and Harland Ltd. of part of the productive capacity of Rolls-Royce (N.I.) Ltd.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

There is no longer any real prospect now of implementing the suggestion under consideration in the early part of this year, viz., that Short Brothers and Harland Limited might take over the factory and part of the production of Rolls-Royce (1971) Limited at Dundonald, Belfast. However, the Northern Ireland Department of Commerce, through its industrial promotion organisation, is seeking another employer who would use the Dundonald factory. The Northern Ireland Development Agency is co-operating in this task.