HC Deb 24 July 1978 vol 954 cc497-8W
Mr. Trotter

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, further to his answer of 4th July to the hon. Member for Renfrewshire, West (Mr. Buchan), whether British Shipbuilders' forecast of loss assumes that Intervention Fund subsidies will be available in the current year; and how much was assumed to be available.

Mr. Les Huckfield

The Corporation's tentative estimate was not based on any specific amount of Intervention Fund support.

Mr. Trotter

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether, in his consultations with British Shipbuilders on its future finance, the size of its future labour force was considered, having regard to the lack of world demand for ships and the gross over-capacity of the world shipbuilding industry.

Mr. Les Huckfield

My Department did not discuss with the Corporation the manpower projections underlying the Corporation's forecast of loss for this financial year.