7. Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the value of order for new naval vessels placed by Her Majesty's Government with British shipyards in the years 1965 and 1966, respectively; and what are the comparable figures for Scottish shipyards only.
The Minister of Defence (Equipment) (Mr. Roy Mason)For British shipyards, £42 million and £48 million respectively; for Scottish yards only, £14 million and £6 million, respectively.
Mr. TaylorAre not these figures very disappointing, bearing in mind the fact that for ten years after the war about half of all new naval vessels were built in Scotland. Is not this another Government example of neglecting Scottish interests?
§ Mr. MasonNo. It is because of the changing demands of the Royal Navy and the fact that the nuclear shipbuilding programme represents much of that, and none of these orders is in Scotland at the moment.
§ Sir Knox CunninghamWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the capacity of Harland and Wolff in Belfast and consider the placing of orders with them?