17. Mr. Milianasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the shipbuilding industry.
§ Mr. Norman LamontThe shipbuilding industry faces the deepest shipbuilding recession of recent times and urgently needs to improve efficiency. The Government welcome the measures proposed by the management of British Shipbuilders and accepted by the national officers of the unions for radical changes in working practices. It is deeply regrettable that not all yards have yet accepted the agreement on flexible working practices. I urge them to do so in the interests of the industry and of their own jobs.