HC Deb 17 May 1973 vol 856 cc369-70W
Mr. Sillars

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many supply

For 1960 and 1961 the figures are:

£ million
Imports c.i.f. Exports f.o.b.
1960 1961 1960 1961
Soviet Union … … … … … 77.5 91.1 53.3 69.8
Poland … … … … … 35.9 37.0 14.9 23.5
Eastern Germany … … … … … 6.3 6.7 8.4 9.8
Hungary … … … … … 4.3 4.3 4.6 5.9
Czechoslovakia … … … … … 11.2 13.6 8.9 11.2
Romania … … … … … 3.9 6.1 4.3 14.8
Other countries* … … … … … 2.3 3.3 2.6 1.8
Total … … … … … 141.4 162.1 97.0 136.8
* Bulgaria and Albania; trade with the latter is negligible.

Mongolia is also a member of COMECON, but imports amounted to only £128,000 and exports to £29,000 in 1972.

For 1962, corresponding information is given under "Soviet Union and Eastern Europe" in Tables 274 and 275 in the 1971 Annual Abstract of Statistics, for 1963 to 1970 in Tables 285 and 286 of

boats are now operating in connection with North Sea oil at the latest count; how many of these were built in Scottish shipyards; how many additional supply boats are under construction for work in the North Sea; and how many of these are being built in Scottish yards.

Mr. Anthony Grant

It was estimated in the IMEG report that in 1972 there were around 80 supply vessels operating in all sectors of the North Sea in connection with oil and gas exploration. It is not known how many of these vessels were constructed in Scottish yards.

There are 50 supply boats on order for service in the North Sea and an estimated requirement for a further 100 or more by 1975. As yet only one firm order has been placed in a Scottish yard but it is hoped that the substantial incentives provided by the Government's ship construction grant and home credit schemes will enable Scottish yards to secure further orders in the near future.