HC Deb 15 July 1953 vol 517 c2059
50. Mr. F. Willey

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many orders for new tonnage to be built in North-East Coast shipyards have been cancelled this year; what were the dates of the cancellations and the yards affected; and what was the total value of the orders so cancelled.

Mr. Digby

Orders for three new vessels to be built in the North-East Coast shipyards have been cancelled this year, the total tonnage being approximately 12,000 gross tons. Two of these vessels were to be built by Messrs. Cleland Limited, Wallsend, and these were cancelled on 5th May, 1953. The other was to be built by Messrs. Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson of Wallsend, and this order was cancelled on 4th June. I estimate the total value of these ships at approximately £900,000.

Mr. Willey

Does the Civil Lord realise that the reply he has just given, and the reply he is about to give to the next Question, will be very disturbing to shipbuilders in the North-East, and that we expect him to take a more direct interest in our affairs?

Mr. Digby

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that I take a direct interest in the affairs of the shipbuilding industry, but I cannot agree that the cancellation of these orders for one large ship and two small ones is anything very alarming, in the light of the total order book, although we should prefer that there should be no cancellations.

Mr. Hobson

Were these ships for a foreign owner?

Mr. Digby

In point of fact the larger ship was for a foreign owner.