§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the fishing boat building industry in Northern Ireland; how many yards are still in operation; and how many have gone out of business.
§ Mr. PriorNo boat building yards have gone out of business in Northern Ireland in the last five years.
There are two boat building yards in Northern Ireland capable of building vessels for the commercial inshore fishing fleet and another yard specialising in major repair and maintenance contracts. The fishing industry has not been sufficiently buoyant recently to generate investment in new vessels. Consequently neither boat building yard has any new fishing vessels under construction.
But there has been an increase in vessels being fitted with new engines and undergoing major improvements. The yards concerned have been able to secure a share of this work and thus continue to operate.