asked the Secretary of State for Industry when he expects the contract between British Shipbuilders and the Polish Government to be signed.

A principal agreement was signed by representatives of British Shipbuilders and the Polish Steamship Company (Polska Zegluga Morska) on 21st November.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how soon he expects to be able to announce the terms and conditions of the contract between British Shipbuilders and the Polish Government.

The terms and conditions of the agreement between British Shipbuilders and the Polish Steamship Company are commercially confidential.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what was the total in gross tons of new orders by United King- dom shipowners in the first nine months of the current year or up to the latest available date and the total new orders given by United Kingdom shipowners to United Kingdom shipyards.

Latest figures are in respect of the first six months of 1977, when new orders for merchant vessels for United Kingdom registration amounted to 248,000 gross tons. Of this, 243,000 gross tons were placed with United Kingdom shipyards.