§ 6. Mr. Willeyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is the tonnage of orders placed so far this year with north-east coast shipyards and the tonnage of orders with such shipyards which have been cancelled during the same period.
§ Mr. T. G. D. GalbraithTen orders for new merchant ships have been placed, totalling approximately 92,000 gross tons, during the first half of 1958. During the same period, twelve orders for north-east coast shipyords of a total gross tonnage of 132,800 have been reported cancelled to the Admiralty.
§ Mr. WilleyThe Civil Lord will agree that this is somewhat disturbing. Can he tell us, however, whether the position is getting worse or whether there are any signs of improvement.
§ Mr. GalbraithIt is really too early to say whether there are any signs of improvement or whether it is getting worse.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopCould he say whether the cancellations have been in one category of ship—for examples, tankers?
§ Mr. GalbraithI could not answer that point without notice.