§ Mr. Jim Spicerasked the Secretary of State for Industry what up to date information he has received from the boat building industry on the effects of the 25 per cent. VAT rate on the boat building industry of the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. KaufmanMy right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State has recently received a letter from the Ship and Boat Building National Federation enclosing the results of a survey among its members relating to weekly orders received, monthly inquiries and employment in May and June 1975. The survey suggests that there has been a substantial drop in boat building activity compared with the same period last year, but it is not possible to evaluate with any accuracy the effect of the higher rate of VAT.