HC Deb 12 June 1989 vol 154 cc321-2W
Mr. Gordon Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action he intends to take to prevent a foreign sale of shares in Rosyth dockyard.

Mr. Sainsbury

The term contract requires that the prior approval of the Secretary of State must be sought to any change in the ownership or structure of the management company, and the parent companies FKI, Babcock and Thorn EMI are required to ensure that any foreign shareholding in the dockyard management company is less than 30 per cent.

Mr. Gordon Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations he had before 7 June with Thorn EMI over the sale of its stake in Rosyth dockyard.

Mr. Sainsbury

None.

Mr. Gordon Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which companies have indicated an interest in purchasing the Thorn EMI stake in Rosyth dockyard.

Mr. Sainsbury

My Department is not aware of any expressions of interest.