§ Dame Irene Wardasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what progress is being made on the Tyne with the building of the Royal Fleet auxiliaries which were brought forward in order to provide employment in a period of unemployment in Tyneside shipyards.
§ Mr. HayThe orders for the three fast tankers now being built on Tyneside were placed as a result of competitive tendering. Only one of these was brought forward in the programme and this was to help provide employment in the shipbuilding industry generally.
The two firms involved are cooperating to produce a common design for the three ships. Construction is under way.