§ 156. Mr. Edward Evansasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, if, in view of the decline in new contracts for shipbuilding, he will make a statement on the future prospects of the industry, especially in regard to the smaller shipyards.
§ Mr. T. G. D. GalbraithThe United Kingdom shipbuilding industry at present have an order book of nearly 5½ million gross tons of new merchant shipping which at current rates of output represents over 3 years' work. The work is unevenly spread, however, and while the larger yards have several years' work, some of the smaller shipyards are nearing the end of their order books. I cannot forecast when ordering may recover, since recovery depends on a resurgence in trade. Her Majesty's Government is endeavouring to promote this by every means within its power.