§ 158. Mr. Stan Awberyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many dry docks in this country are 84W capable of accommodating the largest vessel now on the stocks; to what extent they are sufficient to meet the growing demands of the shipping industry, particularly the oil-carrying section; and what steps are being taken to encourage ship-repairing companies to construct new large graving docks, or to enlarge those they already have.
§ Mr. T. G. D. GalbraithThere are at present three dry-docks in the country capable of accommodating the largest vessels on order or now being built in United Kingdom shipyards. Construction work is proceeding on two further large dry docks and other projects are known to be contemplated. It will not become clear for some time whether a sufficient number of projects are in hand but the capacity created so far will meet the demand that will develop as the first of the larger ships require dry docking. The provisions of the Distribution of Industry Acts are available for projects in development areas and other areas of high unemployment.