§ Mr. Leadbitterasked the Minister of Technology in what respect the size of tanker which can be built at Furness shipbuilding yard is limited as described by him in his letter to the hon. Member for The Hartlepools; and how many yards in the United Kingdom can build tankers of a larger size.
§ Mr. FowlerThe size of vessel which can be built in the Furness yard is limited by the size of the berths there.
5WThe answer to the second part of the Question is three.
§ Mr. Leadbitterasked the Minister of Technology (1) what offers have been made to him to build ships at the Furness shipbuilding yard since the announcement was made by the present owners to close the yard; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what representations he has received against the proposed inclusion of the Furness shipbuilding yard in a wider North-East shipbuilding group or any other grouping; and what reply he has sent.
§ Mr. FowlerWe received no representations against the inclusion of this yard in a group. Shortly after the announcement that it was likely to close, there were a few inquiries about the possibility of ships being built at the yard but none of these were offers to take over the yard and build ships there. As regards the future of the yard I would refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend gave today to the right hon. Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Willey).