§ Lord Bleaseasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will confirm that the Belfast Shipyard of Messrs. Harland and Wolff has the necessary overall capability, including suitable management, technical and craft skills, to undertake competitive tendering for the repair or replacement of merchant and naval vessels as a result of the Falklands campaign and particularly the replacement of the "Atlantic Conveyor".
Viscount LongHarland and Wolff Limited is considered to have the necessary overall capability including suitable management, technical and craft skills to tender for the repair or replacement of merchant and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels. Harland and Wolff is already on the Ministry of Defence's tender list for certain types of work. However, there will be intense competition for future work particularly because the bulk of Royal Fleet Auxiliary repair work is likely to be carried out in the Royal Dockyards and unless Harland and Wolff can compete effectively on price and delivery they cannot expect significant naval work. With regard to merchant vessels returning from the Falklands a contract has been placed with Harland and Wolff for the repair of the "Atlantic Causeway" and they will continue to be considered with other ship repairers for similar work. Because of the optimisation of its facilities for the production of large merchant vessels, the yard is no longer suitable for warship building which has become an increasingly complex and specialised task.