asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will make a statement about future Government financial assistance to the Kirkby workers' co-operative.

As my right hon. Friend the Minister of State informed the House on 12th December last—[Vol. 960, cc. 405–6.]—the Government will consider any meaningful applications for assistance from KME in performance of their obligations under the Industry Act 1972. All such applications are judged on their merits under the criteria for Industry Act assistance which were laid before the House in January 1976.