§ Mr. James Hillasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will conduct research into the future economic viability of dry docks capable of accommodating oil supertankers, and into the most appropriate distribution of such dry docks in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. RidleyI have no plans for doing so at present.
§ Mr. James Hillasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has from shipowners and shipbuilders who specialise in ship-repairs regarding the future demand for dry docking facilities in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. RidleyReports from the Shipbuilding and Ship Repairing Council were received in August, 1970, and January, 1971, on ship repairing problems and prospects in the United Kingdom. The Economic Intelligence Unit produced a report in April, 1970, commissioned by the Shipbuilding Industry Board, on British ship repair facilities and shipowners' attitudes to them. I announced to the House on 22nd April, 1971, the Government's conclusions on these reports.