Catalogue description Shipbuilding Industry Board: Registered Files (SIB Series)

The Shipbuilding Industry Board (SIB) was set up as a result of the Shipbuilding Inquiry Committee 1965-1966 Report (Cmnd 2937, 1966) (Geddes Report) which was published in March 1966. The recommendations of the Committee included a programme of assistance for the industry from public funds for a limited period of five years, to be administered by a small independent board. On the 9th August the Government announced its decision to implement the report and to introduce the necessary legislation.

Initially, the SIB was set up on a non-statutory basis with three members, the Chairman being Sir William Swallow. At this stage the sponsoring department was the Board of Trade (BOT) and before moving to its own premises, the SIB used the BOT's Industries and Manufactures Department as its mailing address. In November 1966 the Ministry of Technology (Mintech) assumed responsibility for the shipbuilding industry and in 1967 the Shipbuilding Industry Act was passed.

This Act established the SIB as an independent statutory body, but subject to the general direction of the Minister of Technology and answerable through him to Parliament. The Act established the SIB for a limited period, initially up to the end of 1970, with provision for an extension of up to one year. The SIB had close links with Mintech and the Department of Trade and Industry's EcS and SBR Divisions and was eventually dissolved on 31 December 1971.

The function of the SIB was to promote the ability of the UK shipbuilding industry to compete in world markets; to enable the Board to give financial assistance for this purpose to shipbuilding and marine engine manufacturing firms; and to enable Mintech on the recommendation of the Board to guarantee loans entered into by shipowners in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man for the purchase of ships from United Kingdom shipyards.