HC Deb 20 January 1954 vol 522 cc984-5
4. Mr. Swingler

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will now grant licences for the building and export of dredgers to countries of the Soviet bloc

Mr. J. P. L. Thomas

Yes, Sir, so far as is consistent with security considerations. I have not yet received any applications for licences to construct dredgers for the Soviet bloc. Any such applications will have to be considered individually on their merits.

Mr. Swingler

Is not the Minister aware that his answer is most unsatisfactory? Is he not aware that three dredgers are now being built in Dutch shipyards for the Soviet Union and Poland about which inquiries were made with dredger-building firms in this country, but that when the firms inquired from the Board of Trade they were told that they would not get licences and that there was no point in applying? Is he not aware that those orders were therefore diverted to Holland? Will he make it categorically clear to the dredger-building firms that they can get further orders?

Mr. Thomas

What the hon. Gentleman suggests is not the case about licences at present, within the security regulations, although I realise that these ships have been built in Holland. The fact remains that the Admiralty have no applications for permission to accept orders for dredgers for the Russian bloc.