§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the position with regard to the counter claim against Mr. Ivor Hoppe which the then Minister of State responsible for the Department of Commerce in Northern Ireland informed the House was being considered.
§ Mr. ConcannonThe Northern Ireland Office has not made a counter claim against Mr. Hoppe.
§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) when Mr. Hoppe was appointed to Harland and Wolff; when he took up the appointment; for how long the appointment was to last; when it was terminated; whether any claims for compensation have been lodged with regard to his dismissal; what is the amount of any such claim; if public funds are likely to be involved in any way in settlement of the claim; and what money was owing for any reason by Mr. Hoppe to the company at the time of his dismissal;
(2) whether Mr. Ivor Hoppe has withdrawn his claim against his Department for compensation for early termination of his contract as Managing Director of Harland and Wolff Ltd., Belfast.
§ Mr. ConcannonMr. Hoppe was appointed Managing Director of Harland and Wolff Ltd. pursuant to the terms of an agreement dated 6th July 1971. He took up his appointment on 1st September of that year. The appointment was terminated on 5th August 1974. A claim for compensation has been made as a result of the termination of Mr. Hoppe's appointment, and as the claim is the subject of court proceedings it would not be appropriate to comment further.