§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will place in the Library a copy of the EEC Commission's draft fourth directive on shipbuilding aids; what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on the draft directive; when he expects the Council of Ministers to consider the adoption of the directive; and whether he will make a statement on the compatibility of British policy on shipbuilding aid with EEC policy.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldA copy of the draft directive was placed in the Library on 10th November and was examined by the Select Committee on European Legislation on 7th December. As stated in the reply given to the hon. Member on 28th November 1977—[Vol. 940, c.89–90]—the Government are broadly in 335W agreement with the objective of the draft directive and would, therefore, wish it to be adopted as soon as the detailed provisions have been agreed. It is expected to be submitted to the Council of Ministers by the end of this year. The United Kingdom measures for shipbuilding have been approved by the European Commission.