HC Deb 13 June 1988 vol 135 cc78-9W
Mr. Clay

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give his estimate for the accrued losses of British Shipbuilders since 1979, excluding those mixed and naval yards that are now in the private sector.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The total cost to the taxpayer of keeping British Shipbuilders merchant shipbuilding business alive since 1979 has been over £1,850 million. The accrued losses on a profit and loss basis, excluding the warship yards and Scott Lithgow, have been approximately £1,050 million.

United Kingdom Balance of Trade in Manufactures 1
£ billion
Balance of payments basis Overseas trade statistics basis
European Community Rest of world European Community Rest of world
Twelve months to:
March 1988 210½ 22 -11.6 +0.7
April 1988 .. .. -11.9 +0.2
1 Standard International Trade Classification (Rev. 3) Sections 5 to 8
2 Estimate
.. Not available

Note: Figures on a balance of payments basis are available only quarterly. On the overseas trade statistics basis imports, but not exports, include the cost of insurance and freight charges.

Source: United Kingdom Overseas Trade Statistics.

Department of Trade and Industry.