§ 40. Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of world shipping tonnage ordered in the 12 months ended 31st July, 1972, is for British registration.
§ Mr. OnslowThe information is not available from official sources for the period requested. In the year ended 30th September, 1972, 8 per cent. of world net new orders for merchant vessels in gross tonnage terms was for United Kingdom registration.
§ 66. Dr. Dickson Mabonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many orders were secured by United Kingdom shipyards in the third quarter of 1972; and what total gross tonnage this represents.
§ Mr. ChatawayOrders were reported for 18 merchant registered vessels totalling 22,000 gross tons.
§ 75. Mr. McMasterasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will state the present position of work in progress in British shipyards and the state of the order book at the latest convenient date and as compared with 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971, respectively.
§ Mr. ChatawayWork in progress in the British shipbuilding industry was valued at £320 million at end June, 1972, the latest date for which such information is available. The industry had total orders in hand of £1,043 million at end September, 1972; orders on the corresponding date in previous years were £554 million in 1968, £741 million in 1969, £1,069 million in 1970, and £1,067 million in 1971.
§ Mr. Millanasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the examination of the long-term prospects of the United Kingdom shipbuilding industry being undertaken by his Department will be completed.
§ Mr. ChatawayI expect to have the Consultants' report at about the end of the year.
§ Mr. Millanasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will 286W give details of the proposals, formal or informal, put to him in recent months by the shipping and shipbuilding industries in relation to a scheme of incentives for British shipping companies to place orders in British shipyards; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglasasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he can now make a statement on the form of assistance which the Government propose to give to the United Kingdom shipping and shipbuilding industries.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerI would refer the hon. Members to my reply given earlier today to questions by the right hon. Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Willey) and the hon. Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. R. C. Mitchell).