§ 20. Mr. Shinwellasked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is proposed to make retrospective the grant of financial assistance to shipbuilding firms and shipowners where orders for the construction of new tonnage have been placed?
§ Mr. StanleyYes, Sir. I would refer the hon. Member to the passage in my statement on 28th March which deals with this point.
§ Mr. ShinwellOn what authority does the right hon. Gentleman propose to make these grants retrospective? Does it not require legislation?
§ Mr. StanleyIf the hon. Gentleman remembers the passage in my speech or looks at it again, he will see that all I have said is that I shall propose to Parliament, when I introduce legislation, that these grants shall be made retrospective. It will be for Parliament to decide whether they accept that proposal or not.
§ 21. Mr. J. Griffithsasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the representations urging that ships built with the assistance of the Government subsidy shall be coal-burning ships; and whether he will make this one of the conditions for the payment of the subsidy?
§ Mr. StanleyI am receiving a deputation on this subject to-day.