§ The Earl of LauderdaleMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are satisfied that British shipyards building vessels and rigs for use on the Continental Shelf are matching foreign competition by keeping to promised delivery dates.
§ The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Lord Cockfield)My Lords, of 19 deliveries of vessels and rigs for offshore use in the last 12 months, three have been early, six on time and six within one month of the due date. Two were two months late and a further two were more than two months late. There is clearly room for improvement, and British Shipbuilders are devoting their efforts to this end.
§ The Earl of LauderdaleMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for that informative reply. May I ask him whether he is aware that there are several shipyards, notably on the Lower Clyde at Cammell Laird and elsewhere, where there are still very serious delays—in one case of a year and in another case of eight months? He will no doubt be drawing his industrial friends' attention to these matters.
§ Lord CockfieldYes, my Lords. I am aware of the facts to which my noble friend refers, and British Shipbuilders are, or course, taking every effort to ensure the best possible performance.