§ Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the criteria governing eligibility for assistance under the shipbuilding intervention fund; and whether there are any differences in the application of the criteria as between British Shipbuilders and other companies.
§ Mr. Norman LamontIntervention fund support is a form of selective financial assistance paid under the provisions of sections 7 and 8 of the Industrial Development Act 1982, and the terms and conditions of the regime are subject to approval by the European Commission within the framework of the EC fifth directive on aid to shipbuilding (81/363/EEC). Each case, public or private, is considered on its merits within this context. The last tranche of intervention fund support approved by the Commission was terminated in June 1984 and negotiations with the European Commission on the terms and conditions of a further tranche are currently in train.