§ Mr. Tony Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assistance he gives to the industrial and marine steam turbine industry regarding the promotion of exports; what information he has as to such support given to this industry in other countries; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButcherThe full resources of the Department of Trade and Industry and of the BOTB are available to assist the manufacturers of steam turbines in the export market. Other countries have a comparable range of export support services available to their industries. Competition in 301W export markets is severe and irrespective of Government assistance, it is for the industry itself to produce goods to meet the customer's requirements as to delivery quality and price.
§ Mr. Tony Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assistance he is giving to the industrial and marine steam turbine industry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButcherBetween April 1980 and March 1983 selective assistance totalling £12.3 million has been offered to the manufacturers of steam turbines in Great Britain. In addition, over the same period regional development grants of approximately £1.4 million have been paid. The Department of Trade and Industry is willing to consider further applications for assistance which satisfy the published criteria.
§ Mr. Tony Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the present capacity of the power engineering industry, provision of turbines, in the United Kingdom; and what assumptions about domestic demand his Department uses in forecasting over the next 10 years.
§ Mr. ButcherAt present employment levels it is estimated that the capacity of the large steam turbine manufacturing industry is 6 GW per annum. The forecasting of demand for electricity is the responsibility of the electrical supply industry. The placing of orders for power stations on the home market is a matter for the electricity generating boards.