§ 36. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Transport the tonnage of vessels ordered by foreign countries from United Kingdom shipbuilding yards and the tonnage of vessels ordered by United Kingdom shipowners from foreign yards this year.
§ Mr. MarplesIn the first quarter of 1960, licences were issued for some 26,000 tons gross of ships to be built in the United Kingdom for foreign owners. In addition, licences for some 18,000 1443 tons gross were issued for Commonwealth orders. I have no official information about the tonnage ordered by United Kingdom shipowners from foreign yards, but I understand that in the first quarter of this year it totalled some 19,000 tons gross.
§ Mr. WilleyThose figures are an improvement. Does the right hon. Gentleman recognise that it is most disturbing that we are a net importer of new shipping? Will he make representations to British shipowners that they should play the game by British shipbuilding yards?
§ Mr. MarplesI have no doubt that they will read this in the shipping news, as usual. We have received orders from abroad for 44,000 tons and have placed orders abroad for 19,000 tons, a net gain to the industry in this country of 25,000 tons. If we were to impose any restrictions on British owners placing orders abroad, and if other countries took retaliatory action, the shipping industry would be harmed a great deal.
§ Mr. WilleyIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will endeavour to raise the matter on the Adjournment.