Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, in the heads of agreement for the sale of Short Brothers plc to Bombardier, what commitments there are in relation to the Shorts plants in Newtownards; and if he will make a statement on the future of Shorts in Newtownards.
§ Mr. ViggersThe heads of agreement are commercially confidential. However, in its public statements Bombardier has made it clear that assurances have been given that the manufacturing, and R and D facilities of Shorts, as well as the company headquarters, will remain in Northern Ireland. While the company has not made specific reference to any single manufacturing operation it has, nevertheless indicated that it plans to examine the potential for expansion for all areas of the business.