§ 31. Dr. Kingasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of foreign currency for which applications have been received during the last three years by his Department for the purpose of having ships built abroad for British shipping lines; and how many ships were involved.
§ Sir E. BoyleI regret that the information is not available.
§ Dr. KingAs the Minister has just been reminded, the Shaw Saville Line has placed orders for three new liners in Germany, and as hon. Members on both sides of the House wish to maintain full employment, is it not regrettable that a great shipbuilding country like ours should place any shipbuilding orders abroad at all? Will not the Minister make it his job to do something about it?
§ Sir E. BoyleThe policy of liberalising shipbuilding is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation.