§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Technology if he is aware of the negotiations recently between Her Majesty's Government and the British Ship Research Association directed to the implementation of that part of the Geddes Report which recommended the grant of £200,000 additional Government grant to the British Ship Research Association for three years; and what steps he plans on these lines to avoid unemployment in 308W that industry and to avoid shipbuilding contracts being lost to Great Britain.
§ Mr. BennAdditional financial support for this Research Association will be by way of contract or earmarked grant for specific projects and a number of these are now under discussion with the Association. The benefit of additional research and assistance for the industry's reorganisation is longer term but the home orders to the value of £80 million for which credit guarantees have now been provided or are under consideration should make an early contribution to the maintenance of employment in shipyards.