§ 41. Dr. Kingasked the Postmaster-General whether he will insert a clause in all contracts with ships carrying British mail to the effect that they shall not be taken to foreign ports for repair work when repair facilities are available in the United Kingdom.
§ The Postmaster-General (Mr. Ernest Marples)No, Sir. It would be quite impracticable and undesirable to insist on the condition suggested by the hon. Member.
§ Dr. KingIs the Postmaster-General aware that the shipping industry, which we all admire and which from time to 192 time receives Government help regarding its very serious problems, and which ought to be playing the game by the ship-repairing side of the industry, is sending ships out of the country and keeping British ship-repair workers out of work? The right hon. Gentleman has an opportunity to assist the ship-repairing industry, at any rate regarding shipping carrying British mail, and will he use it in the interests of the ship-repair workers?
§ Mr. MarplesNo, Sir. The proposal of the hon. Gentleman is quite unrealistic. For example, ships carrying mail might get into difficulties and have to call at ports abroad to carry out repairs. The proposal of the hon. Gentleman would mean that less mail would be carried in British ships and more in foreign ships.