§ Mr. Dodsworthasked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) what is his policy on the negotiations currently in progress between Austin and Pickersgill and the Vietnamese Government concerning ships for Vietnam; what contact he has had with either party; and if he will make a statement concerning the financial implication of any such project,
(2) what would be the implications for employment in the shipyards of the North-East if negotiations currently in progress to build ships for Vietnam were successful; and how long-term the consequences would be;
(3) what negotiations have taken place concerning the building of ships in Great Britain for Vietnam, stating how far those negotiated have progressed and what the financial implications are likely to be.
§ Mr. Les Huckfield, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 23 February 1978; Vol. 963, c. 323–4] gave the following information:
The Government's policy on supplying these ships to Vietnam was explained by my right hon. Friend the Minister of 471W State for Overseas Development on 13 February [Vol. 962, c. 536–7]. The order is expected to provide about 700 man-years of work and was not assisted from the Intervention Fund.