HC Deb 06 November 1975 vol 899 cc237-8W
Mr. Gordon Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is his interim shipbuilding policy to cover the position prior to and immediately after the implementation of the Government's policy on nationalisation.

Mr. Kaufman

The problems facing the shipbuilding industry are receiving urgent consideration.

Mr. Warren

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what recent discussions he has held with the European Commission on the future of the British shipbuilding industry.

Mr. Kaufman

None.

Mr. Warren

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he can give an estimate of the output of British shipyards over each of the next five years, bearing in mind the views of the Shipbuilders' and Repairers' National Association that British yards are being priced out of world markets at a time when available world production capacity exceeds demand.

Mr. Kaufman

The present level of ordering is such that after 1977 our output of merchant ships is likely to decline rapidly from the present level of about 1¼ million tons a year. The situation in the shipbuilding industry is under urgent consideration.

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