HC Deb 20 March 1972 vol 833 cc212-3W
62. Mr. Douglas

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his estimate of the cost of assistance to the shipbuilding industry as a whole based on the same rate per job saved or retained as pertains in the case of Gavan Shipbuilders.

Mr. John Davies

Help given to the shipbuilding industry promotes its competitiveness as well as assisting employment. It would be impracticable to disentangle the two purposes with a view to making comparisons.

63. Mr. Willey

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is now taking to aid shipbuilding and ship repair in the North-East.

Mr. John Davies

These industries benefit generally from the measures taken by the Government to expand the economy and in the North-East from regional aids. So far as the shipbuilding industry is concerned I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to my answer earlier today to the hon. Member for Ashton-under-Lyne (Mr. Sheldon).