§ Ms. QuinTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the work of the shipbuilding task force within his Department.
§ Mr. LeighThe objective of the shipbuilding task force is to reduce state involvement in the shipbuilding industry, working for the elimination of production and development aids internationally while encouraging United Kingdom shipbuilders and marine equipment manufacturers to operate competitively in international markets and in the defence sector.
To that end, the task force is resolving any remaining problems arising from the disposal of British Shipbuilders; managing expenditure on the home shipbuilders credit guarantee scheme and the shipbuilding intervention fund; ensuring that the European Community seventh directive on aid to shipbuilding is operated in line with Ministers' objectives; attempting to ensure further progress in the European Community and the OECD in negotiating an agreement to end state aids for shipbuilding worldwide;
162W(b) all agricultural products and the percentage change in the remainder of British exports, broken down also into its principal sections between 1980 and 1990.
§ Mr. SainsburyThe information available is shown in the table.
and maintaining appropriate liaison with the Ministry of Defence on the future naval shipbuilding programme and on projects likely to affect shipyard capacity utilisation.