§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on the meeting he held with the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions on 25th January 1977; and if he intends to use the Industry Act 1972, as amended by the Industry Act 1975, to create a State holding company for the Government's existing interests in shipbuilding companies.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and hon. Friend the Minister of State and I met representatives of the CSEU on 25th January at their request. We had a useful and constructive discussion about prospects for the shipbuilding and ship-repairing industry. During the discussion the CSEU representatives made a number of points about possible action which might be taken to deal with the problems of the industry, to which I am giving urgent consideration. No decision has yet been taken on the proposal that there should be a State holding company for the Government's existing shipbuilding interests.