§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Industry how many vessels were on order at British shipyards at the most recent date for which figures are available; what was the estimated value of these contracts; and if he will give comparable figures for the same date in each of the previous 10 years.
§ Mr. MeacherThe information is as follows:
MERCHANT VESSELS OF 100 GROSS TONS AND OVER ON ORDER IN UNITED KINGDOM SHIPYARDS (£m.) Number Value 31st December: 1963 … … 286 281 1964 … … 306 316 1965 … … 321 343 1966 … … 254 267 1967 … … 180 230 1968 … … 233 401 1969 … … 285 588 1970 … … 336 737 1971 … … 256 678 1972 … … 220 643 1973 … … 375 1,402 Information on naval vessels cannot be given for security reasons.