§ 78. Mr. P. Williamsasked the Minister of Transport how many berths, with what annual capacity, are now idle in British shipyards.
§ Mr. MarplesAt the end of March some eighty berths were vacant, excluding those under reconstruction or permanently closed as a result of reorganisation. However, the number of berths vacant is not a true measure of idle capacity, because the introduction of modern building techniques has diminished the number of berths in use without prejudicing output. The tonnage launched from United Kingdom shipyards this year is likely to be about the same as in 1959.