§ 34. Mr. Willeyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many orders for new tonnage to be built in British shipyards have been cancelled this year so far; and what is the total value of the orders so cancelled.
§ Mr. T. G. D. GalbraithEighteen licences, totalling approximately 200,000 gross tons, for new merchant ships to be built in United Kingdom shipyards, were cancelled during the first half of 1958. The approximate total value of these cancellations was £25 million.
§ Mr. WilleyCan the Minister say whether there is yet any slackening in the cancellations?
§ Mr. GalbraithI should like notice of that question.
§ Mr. C. R. HobsonDoes not the Minister think that a number of these cancellations could be avoided if the naval slipways at Devonport were made available for the commercial building of craft? Is he aware that it is because of delays in deliveries that these cancellations arise?
§ Mr. GalbraithI could not agree with that at all.
§ 35. Mr. Willeyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of orders placed with British shipbuiders and the amount of tonnage ordered this year, as compared with the number and amount for the corresponding period last year.
§ Mr. T. G. D. GalbraithFifty-six new orders, totalling just over 130,000 gross tons, have been placed so far this year, compared with 159 orders, totalling 1,326,000 gross tons during the first half of 1957.
§ Mr. WilleyCan the Minister say whether there are any recent signs of an improvement in the placing of new orders?
§ Mr. GalbraithNot without notice.
§ Mr. PeytonWill my hon. Friend bring these figures to the notice of his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and point out to him that possibly some improved rate of depreciation allowance for ships might be a great help in this matter?
§ Mr. GalbraithI will certainly bring these figures to my right hon. Friend's notice, but this is not a problem which arises only in this country; it is an international problem.
§ Mr. ShinwellHas it not dawned on the Admiralty and the Government generally that these cancellations of shipbuilding orders in the United Kingdom will continue and will become a very grave problem until we solve the problem of the flag of discrimination and the flag of convenience? Why do not the Government take their courage in both hands, if they have any courage, and ask the United States Government to be reasonable with the United Kingdom?
§ Mr. GalbraithThat is another question. We had a debate on that subject a week or two ago.