HC Deb 19 November 1974 vol 881 cc409-10W
Mr. John Evans

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what is the current gross tonnage on order in the world's shipyards, excluding the United Kingdom, for British ship owners;

(2) what is the current gross total and value of tonnage on order in EEC shipyards for export to the United Kingdom;

(3) what is the current gross total and value of tonnage on order in United Kingdom shipyards for export to EEC countries;

(4) what is the current gross total of tonnage on order in United Kingdom ship yards for export; and how this compares with the export order books of the other major shipbuilding nations;

(5) what is the current gross total of tonnage on order in United Kingdom shipyards; and how this compares with the order books of the other major shipbuilding nations.

Mr. Clinton Davis

Orders for merchant registered ships of 100 tons and over at June 1974 were as follows:

FOR UNITED KINGDOM REGISTRATION ORDERED ABROAD
Gross tons million Value £m.
In world shipyards 5.78 1,167
In EEC shipyards 2.27 514
FOR NON-UNITED KINGDOM REGISTRATION ORDERED IN UNITED KINGDOM SHIPYARDS
Gross tons million Value £m.
By all countries 1.29 325
By EEC countries 0.07 24
BY MAJOR SHIPBUILDING COUNTRY
Total Order Book Gross tons million Export Order Book Gross tons million
Japan 59.3
Sweden 10.4
West Germany 7.9
Spain 7.1
United Kingdom 6.8 1.29
France 6.1
Norway 4.8
U.S.A. 4.8

Information on export order books of other major shipbuilding countries is not readily available.