§ 34. Commander Donaldsonasked the Minister of Transport if, in considering the sale of the Government-owned ship s.s. "Empire Fowey", he will restrict such sale to British shipping interests solely.
§ Mr. MarplesI have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Tynemouth (Dame Irene Ward) on Wednesday, 9th March.
§ Commander DonaldsonIs my right hon. Friend aware that if the situation posed in the Question is not kept in the mind of the Minister, and if this ship should be disposed of to some other source, other than British interests, it will work precisely against his Answer to an earlier Question regarding flag-of-convenience owners. The shipping industry of this country—not only owners but those who go down to the sea in ships—is concerned about the principle involved in this. Will he give it his earnest consideration before coming to a conclusion?
§ Mr. MarplesTenders have not yet been received. I think that we had better wait until they are. The Government's refusal to sell to foreign interests would not necessarily benefit shipping owners in this country, since it would be open to foreign owners to buy elsewhere, which they could do quite easily with the large surplus tonnage available in the world.
§ Mr. ShinwellDoes not the right hon. Gentleman, with the limited experience —and I say that in a friendly fashion— he has acquired on shipping affairs since he occupied his honourable position, realise that this is one of the most serious problems that has faced the shipping industry of this country for many years; namely, the sale of old ships to foreign owners because these ships enter into competition with British-owned vessels? It is no use him running away from the problem by suggesting that foreign owners would buy ships elsewhere. This is a second-hand vessel. Surely he could restrict its sale to British owners if they desired it, and, if not, he could break up the vessel.
§ Mr. MarplesI can assure the right hon. Gentleman that I think that this is a serious problem. That is why I saw an ex-president of the Chamber of Shipping about it yesterday, knowing full well that the right hon. Gentleman would be in his place and would take this matter most seriously. I can assure him that the position is not as easy as that. I was told yesterday that it is a question of what type of ship it is, because a tramp vessel is not the same as a liner, and so on. I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that I have it very much in mind, and if I think it is detrimental to British shipping it will not be done.
§ Dame Irene WardReferring to my right hon. Friend's Answer to the original Question, may I ask him to bear in mind that leadership would be helpful in this matter? If we want to indicate to the Americans what we think about their antics, would it not be a good thing for us to give a lead? Leadership from Great Britain would do a great deal in the world today.
§ Mr. MarplesI will bear my hon. Friend's remarks very much in mind.
§ 35. Mr. Shinwellasked the Minister of Transport what tenders have been received from British shipowners for the purchase of s.s. "Empire Fowey".
§ Mr. MarplesThe advertised closing date for submitting tenders is not until 1st April and none has yet been received.
§ Mr. ShinwellWhen tenders are received by the right hon. Gentleman's Department, will he give serious consideration to selling this old vessel to British rather than to foreign owners? If he is not fully acquainted with the subject, will he advise his right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to revert to the old practice of a Ministry of Shipping, and hive off shipping from his Department?
§ Mr. MarplesI am sure that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will listen with interest to anything that the right hon. Gentleman ever has to say. I will certainly have every consideration in mind when the tender is received.