Mr. John David Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has had negotiations with Messrs. Hyster, prior to the announcement last week of the location of its new European plant; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BoysonThe Industrial Development Board made contact with the president of Hyster in June of last year following rumours of a possible new European project. At that stage the company gave no indication of such a project. Contact was maintained and in December it became evident that the company was considering a manufacturing operation for component parts, possibly in the Republic of Ireland. The Industrial Development Board followed up with the company the possibility of a Northern Ireland location for this investment but Hyster made it clear that it had already ruled out a United Kingdom location. The company has now decided to locate the plant in Holland