§ Mr. DouglasTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the current level of investment by British shipowners in new capacity and the tonnage to be built.
§ Mr. McLoughlinIn 1989, United Kingdom shipowners placed orders for 29 new vessels and took delivery of a further 34 second-hand vessels at an estimated total cost of £462 million. Comparable figures for 1990 are in preparation. I will write to the hon. Member with this information as soon as it becomes available.