§ Mr. Severasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement about the progress of negotiations for compensation and payments on account under the Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Act 1977.
§ Mr. KaufmanCompensation was payable for the 25 companies in private ownership which vested in British Aerospace or British Shipbuilders. Compensation has been settled and paid for 11 companies. One stockholders' representative has had recourse to arbitration in respect of one company. Negotiations are proceeding on compensation for the remaining 13 companies. It appears620W of securing orders from the People's Republic of China would be on similar terms to those provided for securing orders from United Kingdom shipowners.