HC Deb 06 February 1978 vol 943 cc419-21W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what loans, guarantees or other funds have been approved by the European Investment Bank for projects in the North-West of England development area since the accession of the United Kingdom to the EEC.

Mr. Robert Sheldon

Since 1st January 1973, the European Investment Bank has granted loans totalling £89.62 million for projects in the North-West of England development area. Details are as follows:

randum entitled "Withholding of Tender Invitations and Contracts From Firms in Breach of the Incomes Policy", and any similar memoranda relating to the blacklisting referred to in the Written Answer of the hon. Member for Ormskirk (Mr. Kilroy-Silk) on 12th January, Official Report, column 790.

Mr. Joel Barnett

No.

Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether Brain Haulage, Grays, Essex, are included in the nine firms on the blacklist under stage 3 referred to in the Chief Secretary's answer to the hon. Member for Melton on 26th January, Official Report, columns 763–4;

(2) whether Delapre Precision Engineering, Northants, are included in the nine firms on the blacklist under stage 3 referred to in the Chief Secretary's answer to the hon. Member for Melton on 26th January, Official Report, columns 763–4;

(3) whether T. Baker & Sons, Tipton, Staffs, are included in the nine firms on the blacklist under stage 3 referred to in the Chief Secretary's answer to the hon. Member for Melton on 26th January, Official Report, columns 763–4;

(4) whether D. Allport & Sons, Sutton Coldfield, are included in the nine firms on the blacklist under stage 3 referred to in the Chief Secretary's answer to the hon. Member for Melton on 26th January, Official Report, columns 763–4;

(5) whether T. Shirley Smith, Knowle, Solihull, are included in the nine firms on the blacklist under stage 3 referred to in the Chief Secretary's answer to the hon. Member for Melton on 26th January, Official Report, columns 763–4;

(6) whether Hall Foundries, Warley, West Midlands, are included in the nine firms on the blacklist under stage 3 referred to in the Chief Secretary's answer to the hon. Member for Melton, Official Report, 26th January, columns 763–4;

(7) whether South Crofty Tin Mine, Cornwall, are included in the nine firms on the blacklist under stage 3 referred to in the Chief Secretary's answer to the hon. Member for Melton on 26th January, Official Report, columns 763–4;

(8) whether High Speed Turnings, Kirkby, Liverpool, are included in the nine firms on the blacklist under stage 3 referred to in the Chief Secretary's answer to the hon. Member for Melton on 26th January, Official Report, columns 763–4.

Mr. Joel Barnett

To preserve the confidentiality of discussions between the Government and individual firms, I think it is appropriate only to confirm or deny that discretionary action is being taken against a firm in cases where the firm concerned has already made a public announcement on the subject. As far as I know, only four of the firms mentioned have made such an announcement. These are P. Shirley Smith, of Knowle, Solihull, Hall Foundries of Warley, West Midlands, High Speed Turnings of Kirkby, Liverpool, and Delapre Precision Engineering of Northants, and I confirm that they are subject to discretionary action because of pay settlements in breach of the guidelines.