asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in the application of Gray, Tees, Limited for financial assistance to complete its second dry-dock.

The company has now provided the information required by the Advisory Committee which will be considering the application as soon as possible.

Will my right hon. Friend do all he can to speed up the final decision? This firm is doing its best in very adverse circumstances, and I still represent an area of very high unemployment.

I fully appreciate the difficulties in my hon. and gallant Friend's constituency. I can assure him that there will be no unnecessary delay.