HC Deb 17 January 1972 vol 829 c12
15. Mr. Douglas

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement on the prospects for the ship-repairing industry.

Sir J. Eden

It is for individual firms within the industry to assess their own prospects, which will depend primarily on their efficiency and competitiveness.

Mr. Douglas

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that as merchant shipping becomes increasingly sophisticated the differences between high-class merchant ships and naval ships are greatly diminishing? This industry needs a spur for investment opportunities to equip itself for the potentialities which are currently available and which will be available in the future.

Sir J. Eden

I am aware that there are difficulties facing the industry. Many of the reasons for these difficulties are outside the industry's own control and arise from such factors as the reduction in coastal trade, changes in the pattern of trade, increases in ship size beyond the capacity of United Kingdom facilities, labour troubles, and the difficulty many areas have had in fulfilling completion dates. These are matters the industry itself will have to put right.

Mr. Benn

Apart from the reasons for the difficulty, which are well known to the House, does not the re-equipment of the ship-repairing industry now, with sensible Government help, provide an opportunity of reducing unemployment in areas of very high unemployment and also of leaving Britain better equipped to deal with the very ships which the Minister mentioned in his answer and with which the existing industry is ill-equipped to cope?

Sir J. Eden

I believe that the existing industry is fully capable of meeting the difficulties it has been experiencing. It is being encouraged to do just that.