§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Industry what was the output of Govan Shipbuilders Ltd. in terms of gross registered tonnage per man in 1975; and what percentage improvement this represented over the level of productivity which was operating when the company was founded in 1972.
§ Mr. KaufmanGovan Shipbuilders Ltd. informs me that its output in terms of gross registered tonnage completed per man was 18.4 tons in 1974. The comparable figures for 1973—which was the company's first full calendar year of operation—and 1974 were 22.8 tons and 17–5 tons respectively.
The hon. Member will appreciate that these figures are not a measurement of productivity and depend inter alia on the degree of sophistication of the ships being built at any particular time.
§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Industry what improvement in productivity at Govan Shipbuilders Ltd. in general and in terms of gross registered tonnage per man was assured by the Government during each of the next four years in deciding to give the company further assistance.
§ Mr. KaufmanThe Government's decision to give further support to the company which my right hon. Friend announced on 7th August 1975 was based on a corporate plan submitted to the Department last year. The commercial details, including the company's productivity targets, are confidential matters.