§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his Answer of 4 March 2004, Official Report, column 1106W, on Port Clarence, Stockton, whether future involvement of English Partnerships and One North East in the development of Port Clarence would be subject to EU regulations concerning shipbuilding subsidies. [160788]
§ Mr. TimmsI have been asked to reply.
Any proposals for port and associated developments that are of potential assistance to commercial shipbuilding would be subject to the EU framework on state aid for shipbuilding (2003/C 317/06). However, these considerations do not apply where such developments are clearly for the sole benefit of naval shipbuilding, since military vessels are excluded from the provisions of the framework.