10, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter which should have urgent consideration, namely,the Crisis in the Merchant Shipbuilding Industry.

The right hon. and learned Member for Monklands, East (Mr. Smith) asks leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter which he thinks should have urgent consideration, namely,the Crisis in the Merchant Shipbuilding Industry.

First, may I welcome the fact that Ministers responded to demands made by right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Monklands, East (Mr. Smith) and myself yesterday and conceded an emergency debate on the Crisis in the Merchant Shipbuilding Industry.

We have lost half our merchant shipping fleet, so it is no surprise that we have a Crisis in the Merchant Shipbuilding Industry.