asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultations he is having with Rolls-Royce about the use that is to be made of the Dundonald factory.

As was announced on 29th December, following the decision of Rolls-Royce (1971) Limited to close its factory at Dundonald my right hon. Friend invited Short Brothers & Harland Limited to examine the possibility of absorbing the Dundonald plant into its opreations. Rolls-Royce has undertaken to co-operate fully with Shorts in this study, and I am keeping in close touch with both companies as the exercise proceeds.