§ 2. Mr. McKayasked the Minister of Transport what is the number of ships being built on Tyneside at present; whether this number is less or more than the number two years ago; whether the value of the ships now being built is greater than that of those being built two years ago; and what is his present estimate of the commercial prospects for the shipping industry.
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Vice-Admiral John Hughes Hallett)At 30th June there were 23 merchant ships totalling 229,700 gross tons and three naval vessels under construction on the Tyne. At the end of 1959 the comparable figures were 29 merchant ships totalling 343,600 gross tons and four naval vessels. I have no information about the value of these ships.
I should not like to predict when the present difficult conditions in shipping will improve.
§ Mr. McKayIs it true that we, the British, are buying ships from foreign ports, and that in this process British buyers are subsidised to the extent of the investment allowance? How many ships have been bought in this way? Does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman think that this is subsidising competition with our own people?
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettI could not without notice give exact figures of orders placed abroad, but I am glad to say that, while a year ago we were deeply concerned at the number of orders which were going abroad, the number this year has fallen to a mere trickle.