§ Mr. Norman Lamontasked the Secretary of State for Industry what discussions his Department has had with the Indian Government about Indian orders for British ships.
§ Mr. Les Huckfield:The Ministry of Overseas Development and the Department of Industry have been having discussions with Indian Government officials about the possibility of the Shipping Corporation of India purchasing ships from British yards.
§ Mr. Norman Lamontasked the Secretary of State for Industry what redundancies he is expecting in the shipbuilding industry in the next 12 months.
§ Mr. Les Huckfield:Some contraction of employment in shipbuilding is inevitable in the face of world market conditions but it is too early to make any forecasts.
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§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Industry what financial contributions, by way of export credits, subsidies or otherwise Her Majesty's Government will make to the proposed sale by British Shipbuilders of 24 ships to Poland.
§ Mr. Les Huckfield:Assistance, in the form of export credit facilities on normal ECGD terms and a grant from the shipbuilding intervention fund is being made available to British Shipbuilders to help them to obtain this important order.