§ 17. Sir W. DAVISONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that contracts for the building of nine ships 1947 for British owners have recently been placed in Holland owing to the more favourable prices quoted by the Dutch firms; and what information he has as to the reasons which enable the Dutch firms to quote prices much below the lowest British tenders?
Mr. WEBBI understand that a shipbuilding company at Rotterdam has obtained contracts for the building of seven vessels for British owners, but I have no information as to comparative prices, or as to the precise causes of such differences as there may be. I understand however, that in regard to three of the vessels, a Government subsidy has been given.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs it not the business of the Board of Trade to have this information? Is it not in order to obtain it that the Board of Trade exists?
§ Mr. T. HENDERSONCan the right hon. Gentleman give us the names of those who ordered these vessels; who have made these contracts? [HON. MEMBERS: "Answer," and "Do not answer!"]
Mr. WEBBI have not got the names. As to the other question, I think the statement I have made that a Government subsidy has been given affords a fair explanation of any difference in price there may have been. The Board of Trade have no means of discovering at what price these gentlemen have placed the contracts.