§ 51. Mr. Pageasked the President of the Board of Trade the exports of British-built ships, stated in tonnage and in value, this year, to the latest convenient date; and how the figures compare with those for the similar periods of the previous three years.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftTwenty-six million pounds sterling in the first six months of 1955; £18 million, £17 million, and £.19 million in the corresponding periods of 1952, 1953 and 1954. Particulars of tonnage are given on page 330 of the Trade and Navigation Accounts.
§ Mr. PageWould my right hon. Friend agree that these very satisfactory figures show that British shipyards are not only holding their own but doing very well in the world, and that there is nothing to be concerned about when a few orders from British shipowners are placed with foreign shipyards?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftThe figures show that exports have gone up but, in this as in other industries, we must watch that we continue to be competitive.
§ Dr. KingWould the right hon. Gentleman not agree that these excellent figures are jeopardised if we start importing foreign-built ships? Will he do his best to discourage the import of foreign-built ships into a shipbuilding country?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI find that the best way of not extending trade with a foreign country is to stop its trade with us.