§ Mr. Peter RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he intends to await more detail of the Sealink interest in placing work with Harland and Wolff before taking a decision on either of the two bids for the privatisation of the yard or the management worker buy-out.
§ Mr. ViggersThat is my intention though I am anxious that negotiations over the future of the company are concluded quickly.
§ Mr. Peter RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to what extent he estimates that delay on deciding on a manager worker buy-out by Harland and Wolff will result in losing the Ultimate Dream contract.
§ Mr. ViggersI have been having discussions with the chairman of Harland and Wolff and his colleagues on their ideas for a management/employee buy-out, I am ready to give immediate consideration to any proposal which they may decide to make. No formal bid has yet been put forward and I understand that they are still considering whether to base their proposals on the negotiation of an order for the Ultimate Dream or on other possibilities. The eventual negotiation of any order is, of course, a matter for the buy-out team.
§ Mr. Peter RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the current position of all bids and declared interests in purchasing Harland and Wolff, Belfast.
§ Mr. ViggersDetailed negotiations are under way with two companies which have submitted proposals for the acquisition of Harland and Wolff—both involving orders for new ships. I have also had discussions with the 47W chairman of the company and his colleagues about the basis for a possible management/employee buy-out. Details of these discussions are commercially confidential.