HC Deb 14 March 1983 vol 39 c22W
Mr. Peter Lloyd

asked the Secretary of State for Industry when he will announce the appointment of a new chairman for British Shipbuilders.

Mr. Norman Lamont

Mr. Graham Day, currently with Dome Petroleum and formerly (in 1976) chief executive of British Shipbuilders organising committee, has accepted my invitation to succeed Sir Robert Atkinson as chairman and chief executive of BS. He will join the board as executive deputy chairman on 1 July and take up his appointment on 1 September when Sir Robert Atkinson leaves to pursue other business interests. Mr. Day's appointment will be for three years.

I would like to express the Government's gratitude to Sir Robert for his valuable services to the corporation. He has made important improvements to the corporation over the past few years and steered the industry through an extremely difficult period.

31. Mr. Cunliffe

asked the Secretary of State for Industry when he last met the chairman of British Shipbuilders; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Norman Lamont

My right hon. Friend last met the chairman on 1 February. The Government's current policy towards British Shipbuilders remains as I stated on 23 February during the Third Reading of the British Shipbuilders Bill, when I announced the financial framework for the corporation for 1983–84.