HC Deb 14 March 1990 vol 169 cc300-1W
68. Mr. Patchett

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a further statement on the future of the shipbuilding industry in Britain.

72. Mr. Orme

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a further statement on the future of the shipbuilding industry in Britain.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

The future of the shipbuilding industry in the United Kingdom will depend on the level of demand and on its ability to obtain orders in the face of international competition. The Government provide substantial support to the industry to assist its return to normal competitive conditions.

Mr. Clay

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the reply by the hon. Member for Grantham (Mr. Hogg) to the hon. Member for Sunderland, North, 28 February,Official Report, column 207, which sentences in the statement by the right hon. Member for Braintree (Mr. Newton), 14 November 1988, Official Report, column 748, state the reasons why his Department rejected the bid by Mr. Nat Puri to acquire North-East Shipbuilders Ltd.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

References to the reasons for the rejection of the original bids received for NESL are contained in the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Member for Braintree (Mr. Newton) on 14 November 1988,Official Report, column 748.

Mr. Clay

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions his Department has held with the European Commission as to the implications for the sixth directive on shipbuilding arising from the amalgamation of the West German Shipbuilders Association and the German Democratic Republic Shipbuilders Association.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

None.