HC Deb 17 December 1993 vol 234 cc987-8W
Mr. Hutton

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on access to EU intervention funds for United Kingdom warship yards.

Mr. Sainsbury

[holding answer 13 December 1993]: Negotiations with the European Commission have been under way since May this year to attempt to obtain access to the shipbuilding intervention fund for all warship-builders. It has become clear that the Commission will not amend the 1985 agreement, which removed warship-builders' entitlement to support for all four companies involved.

As a result of a number of discussions with directorate general IV, agreement has been reached on a proposal for making special intervention funding available for Swan Hunter, subject to certain conditions.

It is expected that this proposal will be considered by the Commission before Christmas.

I hope for a favourable decision.

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