HC Deb 25 November 1986 vol 106 cc150-1W
Sir William Clark

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish a table in the Official Report setting out the net foreign currency earnings of the United Kingdom owned and registered merchant trading fleet, and the United Kingdom's net balance of overseas payments on the overall sea transport account, in each year since 1980, together with his forecast of these magnitudes in 1986 and 1987.

Mr. Michael Spicer

The following table gives figures of revenue for international activities of the United Kingdom shipping industry. Information is not available separately for the United Kingdom owned and registered trading fleet. The sea transport balance is taken from table 33 of the Central Statistical Office "Pink Book" (United Kingdom balance of payments).

£ million current prices
Year United Kingdom shipping industry revenue from international activities Balance of payment sea transport services
1980 3,747 141
1981 3,577 -160
1982 3,183 -623
1983 2,994 -1,013
1984 3,203 -1,132
1985 3,174 -1,157

The Department does not make forecasts of these series. However, in the first six months of 1986 the balance on the sea transport account was minus £605 million compared with minus £691 million in the equivalent period of 1985.

Sir William Clark

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish a table in the Official Report showing the value of investment in British owned merchant ships in each year since 1980 and his forecasts of these magnitudes in 1986 and 1987.

Mr. Michael Spicer

I refer my hon. Friend to articles inBritish Business of 5 September 1986 (page 42) and of 26 September 1986 (page 37), copies of which are in the Library. These give figures of the capital expenditure of the United Kingdom shipping industry as compiled by the Department of Trade and Industry.

My Department does not make forecasts of investment in the shipping industry.