§ 12. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Technology to what amount of grants the Shipbuilding Industry Board is committed on which payment will not fall due before 1971.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Technology (Dr. Ernest A. Davies)In the case of some grant commitments, the conditions attached to payment are not now expected to be fulfilled in 1970 but I cannot at present state the amount or timing of payments after then.
§ Mr. Wingfield DigbyIf the life of the Shipbuilding Industry Board is not continued after this year by the Order in Council, will there be any difficulties, in the Minister himself meeting these payments?
§ Dr. DaviesThe question of extension of the life of the Shipbuilding Industry Board is a matter to which my right hon. Friend is giving urgent consideration for precisely the sort of factor that the hon. Member has in mind.
§ 13. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Technology what sums authorised under the Shipbuilding Industries Act for use by the Shipbuilding Industry Board remain unspent or uncommitted, giving details of grants and loans. respectively.
§ Dr. Ernest A. DaviesGrants and loans are made in response to applications by the shipbuilding companies within the ceiling laid down by Parliament. At present, £9 million of grant money remains unspent of which £6.9 million is uncommitted, and as to loans the figures are £16.5 million and £16 million respectively.
§ Mr. Wingfield DigbyWill the Parliamentary Secretary see that the annual report of the Shipbuilding Industry Board is produced much more punctually this year than it was last year?
§ Dr. DaviesI shall be glad to meet the hon. Member's request on that.