§ Mr. Douglasasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his estimate of the present total capacity of the United Kingdom shipbuilding industry.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantNo estimate is available as there is no recognised method of measuring capacity in the shipbuilding industry.
§ Mr. Douglasasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his estimate of the present capacity of the United Kingdom shipbuilding industry which may be suitable for the construction of naval vessels, either for the United Kingdom Government or for foreign customers.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantThere are currently six United Kingdom shipbuilders with a capacity for naval work but the proportion of capacity which they might wish to devote to, or retain for, this type of work fluctuates and depends on the available orders and the commercial judgment of individual firms. It would not therefore be meaningful to give an estimate of total capacity but the yards concerned are capable of taking all the home and overseas orders now foreseen.