§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration his Department has given to the offers to purchase the Ailsa shipyard; what financial applications have been made in relation to any offer; what has been his response; and when he expects an announcement about the future of the yard to be made.
§ Mr. LangThe decision on the sale of the Ailsa shipyard is a matter for British Shipbuilders. I am confident that it will make a careful assessment of the employment prospects and commercial aspects of the bids it has received, but in addition I have an opportunity to comment on these before a decision is taken. I hope that it will be possible to make an announcement about the future of the yard shortly. It is not the practice to give information on applications for financial assistance, since these are matters of a commercially confidential nature.