§ Mr. Peter Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much profit or loss Short Bros. made in 1980–81, 1981–82 and 1982–83; and what is the projected profit or loss for the next two financial years.
§ Mr. Adam ButlerThe latest published accounts for Shorts Brothers Ltd. are in respect of the year ended 31 August 1981 and showed a loss for the period of £12.95 million. During 1982 the company decided to change its accounting year to run from 1 April to 31 March. The next published set of accounts will therefore cover the 19-month period for 1 September 1981 to 31 March 1983. The accounts are currently being audited and should be published within the next two months.
The projected profit or loss for the next two financial years must be regarded as commercially sensitive, and it would not be in the company's interests that they should be revealed at this time.