HL Deb 27 May 1999 vol 601 cc101-2WA
Lord Ironside

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many shipbuilding yards capable of building arid fitting out large vessels of 40,000 tonnes or more are currently operational in the United Kingdom; and who are registered owners in each case. [HL2245]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

Tonnage is only one factor in determining a yard's capabilities; others include the overall dimensions of the vessel and any specialist design or manufacturing capabilities that may be needed.

My department estimates that two yards are currently capable of building vessels of that size: these are Harland & Wolff in Belfast and Marconi Marine at Barrow. Their registered owners are Harland and Wolff Holdings plc, Queens Island, Belfast BT3 9DU and Marconi Marine (VSEL) Ltd, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria LA14 1AF respectively.

Further, my department's assessment is that there are other yards which might also be capable of building these vessels with some modification to their existing facilities.