HC Deb 17 May 1972 vol 837 cc128-9W
Mr. Mason

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total financial assistance given to the ship repair industry annually over the last 10 years.

Mr. Anthony Grant

A grant of £167,457 was made to Vickers Ltd. to help keep open the Palmers Hebburn Ship repair yard in 1970. £140,000 of this grant was paid in 1970–71 and £27,457 in 1971–72.

The industry has also benefited from import duty relief, and assistance received under general measures of support to industry, but it would be difficult to ascertain the precise amounts involved.