51. Miss WARDasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the scarcity of orders in the shipbuilding 933 industry, he will consider offering the same facilities to shipowners as is offered by the Government of Northern Ireland?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINIf my hon. Friend has in mind the re-enactment of trade facilities legislation for shipbuilding generally in this country, His Majesty's Government do not propose to adopt this course. In this connection I would refer to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Govan (Mr. Maclean) on 12th December, 1933, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.
Miss WARDIs my right hon. Friend aware that a recent order which would definitely have been placed on the. Tyne had to go to Northern Ireland because of the special facilities offered by the Government of Northern Ireland for long-term credits; and could my right hon. Friend, some time or other, take into consideration the condition of shipbuilding in this country to see whether it is not possible to offer here terms similar to those offered in Northern Ireland?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINIt would not be desirable for this Government to enter into competition with the Government of Northern Ireland as to which should give the biggest subsidy.