§ Mr. Gouldasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he intends to set a time limit for the acceptance of applications for shipbuilding construction grants.
§ Mr. KaufmanYes, my right hon. Friend is issuing a direction tomorrow under Section 11(10) of the Industry Act 1972 stipulating the time within which applications for grant shall be made. The direction will provide that grant shall not be made on a ship delivered before 1st December 1975 unless application on the appropriate form and with the requisite particulars and accompanying documents118W is received by the Department not later than 31st May 1977. For ships delivered in the year 1st December 1975 to 30th November 1976 the applications should be received by 30th November 1977. Thereafter until further notice, every application should be made not later than one year after the ship is delivered. We consider these limits give applicants adequate time in which to present their applications. Exceptionally, if the Secretary of State is satisfied that an application is delayed for reasons beyond the control of the applicant, consideration will be given to whether the late application may be accepted.
A copy of the direction will be placed in the Library of the House.