“My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this news; the employees themselves, but also their families and the wider community for whom this yard had been a landmark on the Clyde for so long. It was testament to the skill and dedication of generations of workers that Fergusons was the last remaining independently owned shipbuilding yard on the Firth of Clyde and its closure will mean that there are now no other merchant yards open on the lower Clyde.” “In the days since the announcement, we have heard business and political leaders offer support and talk of a potentially profitable future for Fergusons, building ferries and carrying out work on vessels for the oil, gas and renewable energy sectors. I understand potential owners have been bidding to buy the yard and I sincerely hope that this will allow its continued operation. I assure all those involved in these efforts of my prayerful support.”  23 August 2014