§ 28. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Transport what was the amount of new orders booked by British shipyards in the last 12 months; and what this represents as a proportion of the average annual output of British shipyards in recent years.
§ Mr. MarplesIn the 12 months to 30th September, 1962, shipbuilders in the United Kingdom booked new orders totalling 563,000 gross tons. This represents 40 per cent. of the average tonnage completed annually in the last five years.
§ Mr. WilleyDoes the right hon. Gentleman accept this as a danger sign for British shipbuilding? What action is being taken internationally? What discussions have there been with our E.F.T.A. partners, and what discussions have there been, for that matter, with the Six about our sihipbuilding? Apart from that, what action is the right hon. Gentleman taking with other Ministers concerned about the provision of alternative work in the shipyards themselves?
§ Mr. MarplesThe question of alternative work is for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour. As regards discussions, I can tell the hon. Gentleman that my hon. and gallant Friend the Parliamentary Secretary was having discussions this morning with the Dutch Minister of Transport and Shipping. We discuss these matters with other Governments continually. I was in Paris last week where the subject was discussed. I assure the hon. Gentleman that there is no lack of discussion. The point is that the facts of life are that there is too much shipyard capacity in the world, and this country cannot altogether escape the consequences. However, next Wednesday we are to meet the Shipping Advisory Panel, and any ideas which the Panel may have will be carefully considered. We have one or two ideas ourselves to discuss with it.
§ Mr. WilleyThe right hon. Gentleman has not mentioned E.F.T.A., with which we have a close association. Has the matter been discussed within E.F.T.A.?
§ Mr. MarplesWe do not discuss it with E.F.T.A. as a whole, but we discuss it with some of the individual Governments or representatives quite frequently when they come here. For example, one or two of the shipbuilders of Norway will be here on Friday of this week.
§ Mr. P. WilliamsIs my right hon. Friend aware that the latest copy of Lloyd's Register shows that there are 2,400,000 tons of Britisih shipping over 20 years' old? If the Government could apply their mind particularly to incentives to get British shipowners to replace their tonnage which is over 20 years' old, this might well provide about two years' work for British shipbuilders.
§ Mr. MarplesI shall put that proposal before the Shipping Advisory Panel when it meets next Wednesday.