§ Mr. David Youngasked the Secretary of State for Industry what is his policy towards maximising the British design and skilled work content of joint industrial ventures in which his Department is concerned.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe Government encourage wherever appropriate the design of new products to improve the international competitiveness of home supplies generally and so sustain all types of United Kingdom employment, for example, in appraising projects for selective financial assistance under the Industry Act 1972 or for research and development finance. The Design Council, which operates the design advisory service, is the principal public body concerned with the improvement of the design of British products. Governmental research establishments, the research councils, and public sector purchasers also play a part in this work.
Country (a) Aid to domestic shipowners(b) Aids to domestic shipbuilding (for home and export orders) UK Home Credit Scheme 80% over 8½ years at 7.5% (on orders placed in UK yards only) Shipbuilders relief of 2% of contract price plus production subsidy totalling £55m for the year until July 1981 and £45m until July 1982 Belgium Home credit scheme 70% over 15 years. Interest relief subsidy (maximum 3 percentage points) Nil Denmark Home credit scheme 80% over 14 years at 8% interest. 4 year moratorium. Nil France Subsidy of up to 15% of contract price. Home credit scheme—80% over 8½ years at 7.5% interest. Production subsidy (maximum 23%—includes up to 3% for cost escalation insurance)