Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Harland and Wolff

Wednesday 15 January 2025 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Chris McDonald welcomed the industry-led deal where Navantia UK purchased Harland and Wolff's four UK shipyards.
  • The Government worked closely with Navantia UK to secure the future of the yards and around 1,000 jobs.
  • Jim Shannon highlighted the negative impact on a local family firm in his constituency due to Harland and Wolff's administration.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris McDonald Lab Stockton North
Employment Business & Trade
Context

The purchase of Harland and Wolff's four UK shipyards by Navantia UK, including the Belfast yard, has been announced.

Question

I welcome the industry-led deal that will see Navantia UK purchase Harland and Wolff’s four shipyards in the UK, including that in Belfast. The Government have worked closely with Navantia UK to secure the future of the yards, the fleet solid support ship programme, and around 1,000 jobs across the UK. Does my right hon. Friend share my optimism that now that the future of the Harland and Wolff yard has been secured, the yard will be able to secure future orders?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)

I certainly do. That is one of the great benefits of the commercial agreement that has been reached with Navantia on buying Harland and Wolff, and the adjustments made to the contract to ensure that the fleet solid support ships could go ahead. This is a great facility, and it is open for business, including for other orders.

Answered
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Q2 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Business & Trade
Context

A family firm in Jim Shannon's constituency of Strangford will lose half a million pounds due to Harland and Wolff being in administration, impacting other companies as well.

Question

A company in my constituency of Strangford is among those that will suffer because of Harland and Wolff being in administration. This small family firm—I will not put its name in Hansard—will lose half a million pounds. The impact on that company and others is quite catastrophic. What can be done to help those companies that, through Harland and Wolff being in administration, will either not be able to trade, or risk losing out entirely?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)

I recognise the hon. Gentleman’s concerns. This is a product of the failure of the old Harland and Wolff. It now falls to Navantia to decide which of the invoices it wishes to pay, but it will want to secure a relationship with suppliers contributing to the fleet solid support ship programme.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer acknowledges the issue but does not provide specific measures or commitments for supporting affected companies.

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