§ Mr. Peter Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many workers are presently employed by Short Bros., Belfast; and how this figure compares with the previous five years.
§ Dr. BoysonAt 31 January 1985 Shorts employed 6,632 persons. The average number of persons employed by the company in the last five years is as follows: 269W
Number Year ended 31 March 1984 6,127 19 months ended 31 March 1983 6,265 Year ended 31 August 1981 7,096 Year ended 31 August 1980 6,629 Year ended 31 August 1979 6,648
§ Mr. Peter Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the level of the profit or loss achieved by Short Bros., Belfast, in each of the last five years; and what are the projections for each of the next two years.
§ Dr. BoysonThe latest published accounts of Short Brothers plc are for the year ended 31 March 1984. These show the following losses for the five accounting periods to that date:
£ million Year ended 31 March 1984 2,371 19 months ended 31 March 1983 19,099 Year ended 31 August 1981 12,951 Year ended 31 August 1980 8,919 Year ended 31 August 1979 8,260 The projected profits/losses for the next two financial years are commercially sensitive, and it would not be in the company's interests to reveal them at this time.
§ Mr. Peter Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been given to Short Bros., Belfast, in aid and deficit support over each of the last five years.
§ Dr. BoysonIn the financial years ending 31 March 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984, Short Brothers received £9.8 million, £16.3 million, £9.0 million and £9.5 million, respectively. These amount represent Government assistance from all sources in Northern Ireland, together with assistance provided under schemes operated by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.
On 13 December 1984, at column 595, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced his intention to make £6.5 million available to the company in the current financial year. This assistance will be payable under the Aircraft and Shipbuilding industries Order (Northern Ireland) 1979. Shorts may also benefit in the current financial year from other schemes operated by the Department of Economic Development and the Department of Trade and Industry.