§ 43. Mr. STOREYasked the President of the Board of Trade the number and gross tonnage of the vessels ordered under Part II of the British Shipping Assistance Act; the number and gross tonnage of such vessels completed; what proportion of such vessels have been ordered and completed, respectively, on the River Wear; and whether any applications for assistance under that Act are still under consideration?
§ Dr. BURGINProposals have been approved for the building of 57 new vessels of about 207,500 tons gross. Orders have been placed for 50 of a gross tonnage of about 189,000, and, of these, orders for 24 of about 98,000 tons gross have been placed on the Wear. Twenty-six vessels of 86,000 tons gross have been completed, and of these 12 of 46,000 tons gross have been built on the Wear. Two applications for assistance are still under consideration.
§ Mr. STOREYDoes not my hon. Friend think that these figures show what can be done by a little Government initiative and assistance to start an industry in a Special Area, and will he urge upon his colleagues some similar action for other industries so as to absorb more of the unemployed?
§ Mr. R. C. MORRISONCan the hon. Gentleman say how many vessels are being built for British companies in German shipyards?