HC Deb 25 November 1974 vol 882 cc13-4W
Mr. Gordon Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether the Robb Caledon shipbuilding yard in Dundee is included in his plans for the nationalisation of shipbuilding.

Mr. Meacher

The discussion paper issued in July, setting out the Government's provisional views, suggested that Robb Caledon Shipbuilders Ltd. should be among the companies taken into public ownership.

Mr. Gordon Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for Industry up to what size shipbuilding yards will be excluded from nationalisation.

Mr. Meacher

The Government's provisional view, stated in the discussion paper issued in July, is that shipbuilding companies employing fewer than approximately 1,000 workers should not come into public ownership.

Mr. John Evans

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the total amount of orders placed by Her Majesty's Government in each of the last seven years with each of the shipbuilding, ship repairing and marine engineering establishments in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Meacher

The disclosure of the value of orders placed with individual companies would be a breach of the confidential relationship between the companies and the purchasing Departments. Readily available information is listed below.

Orders placed by the Ministry of Defence with commercial shipbuilding, shiprepairing and marine engineering establishments classified to SIC minimum list heading 370.

Financial year ending Value of orders in current prices (£m)
1968 47
1969 33
1970 28
1971 74
1972 83
1973 47
1974 91