§ Mr. Nicholas Brownasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many merchant shipbuilding orders British Shipbuilders has obtained since 1 September 1983, excluding those that were in the pipeline prior to that date.
§ Mr. Norman LamontSince 1 September 1983 British Shipbuilders has signed contracts for the construction of 11 new vessels over 100 gross tons, and in addition holds letters of intent for five vessels.
Negotiations leading to the signing of shipbuilding contracts normally extend over a considerable period of time.