§ Mr. Dalyellasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what study he has made of the proposals put to him by Mr. Tom Bowers that the aircraft carrier "Leviathan" be used as an exhibition ship for the purpose of carrying potential British exports to foreign ports for demon. stration purposes; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what consideration he has given to the representations made to him by the hon. Member for West Lothian on the desirability of using an aircraft carrier for the purpose of a demonstration ship for British exports; if he has made any estimate of the annual running cost of such a project; and if he will approach firms with a view to financing a pilot scheme on a joint consortium basis.
§ Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody:Mr. Bowers put his proposals to the Board of Trade for the first time in a letter received on the 15th January. They are being considered, but as my noble Friend the Minister of State has explained to my hon. Friend it seems unlikely, from past consideration of similar proposals, That it would be economic to convert and run an aircraft carrier as a demonstration ship for British exports.