HC Deb 02 June 1980 vol 985 cc545-7W
Dr. David Clark

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list the public sector orders placed with British Shipbuilders since May 1979.

Mr. David Mitchell

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the contributions from the European regional development fund to industrial and infrastructure projects in the United Kingdom which were announced on 20 May. These contributions amount to £34.886 million, as follows:

Mr. Michael Marshall

A seabed operations vessel and a Trafalgar class submarine have been ordered by the Ministry of Defence and a nuclear fuel carrier and a lighthouse tender have been ordered by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. and Trinity House respectively. In addition, some small ships have been ordered and a number of refitting contracts have been placed.

Dr. David Clark

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many public sector orders he expects to be placed with British Shipbuilders before the end of 1980.

Mr. Michael Marshall

Some indication of possible orders by the Ministry of Defence is given in the defence Estimates 1980 (Cmnd 7826/1) presented to Parliament in April. In addition, the Ministry of Defence has announced that negotiations are taking place for the purchase of two offshore patrol vessels, and the Department of Trade that similar negotiations would begin later this year for the purchase of a coastal survey vessel for civil hydrographie work. Further Ministry of Defence refitting contracts are also likely to be placed.