HC Deb 06 March 1963 vol 673 c39W
54. Mr. J. Howard

asked the Minister of Transport what action he has taken, in consultation with the other Departments concerned, to give assistance to shipbuilding and ship-repairing yards in the South of England by way of Government contracts for ships and heavy engineering work.

Vice-Admiral Hughes Hallett

Wherever appropriate, Government contracts, including those for ships and heavy engineering, are put out to competitive tender to suitable shipyards in the South as well as in other parts of the country. In view of the excess capacity in the heavy engineering industry no special arrangements are made to invite shipyards to tender in this field, but it is open to any shipyard to apply to the Department concerned to be placed on the tender list.