§ Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Secretary of State for Industry what progress has been made to date in the recovery of interest payments due to Her Majesty's Government from the Meriden Co-operative since 30 June; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe answers to my hon. Friend's two questions are "None" and "No".
TABLE 1 9 months to 31 March 1978 £28.9 million 1978–79£12£8 million 9 months to 31 December 1979 £23.5 million Average number employed by BS 85,700 83,700 79,000 Average sum per employee £338 £153 £297 However, by far the majority of these payments relate to British Shipbuilders' merchant shipbuilding activities. The corresponding table for merchant shipbuilding only is as follows:
TABLE 2 Payments (estimated) 9 months to 31 March 1978 £28.1 million 1978–79 £12.5 million 9 months to 31 December 1979 £23.3 million Average number of employees (estimated) in merchant ship- building 37,000 32,000 27,000 Average sum per employee £759 £391 £863 In addition to the payments in table 1, British Shipbuilders has also received public dividend capital totalling £166 million in support of all its activities.