With respect to morddwyd , I don't wish to hijack your post, but if you will allow my indulgence to reply to Strawballs I would be grateful.

Strawballs , I remember distinctly that Vosper were the first to trial a GRP hull as a minesweeper boat. The first prototype had a hull that was two inches thick in some places. Being young and dumb at the time I didn't follow through with news of the success or not. If I remember correctly they had two vessels that were on trial. Do you know, or remember anything of this?

Thank Strawballs, and morddwyd.

FE It may be possible to get an assurance on jobs and security from EADS and the French and German governments. However, the UK government will be powerless to ensure that these undertakings are met. Think of Kraft and Cadburys.

"The difficulty the merger talks are said to be in is over the 'golden' shares for the various governments."

More precisely, our government wants Germany and France to reduce their shareholding in the merged company to a level that would preclude either of them from having the ability to control the business.

Our government has a 'golden share' in BAE, and has said it will use its power of veto to block the entire deal if Germany and France don't comply. A further requirement is that the defence division of the merged business must be based in the UK. Germany and France would probably agree to that condition.