§ 32. Mr. McMasterasked the Minister of Transport what percentage of the sums granted to British shipowners placing orders for new construction in United Kingdom shipbuilding yards this 416 year is being spent in Scotland, on the North-East Coast, in Liverpool and in Belfast, respectively.
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettI regret that this information cannot be given in this form because it would enable commercially confidential details about individual loans to be deduced. Under the Shipbuilding Credit Scheme, 283,000 tons of shipping are to be built in Scotland, 450,000 gross tons in the North of England, and 94,000 gross tons in Northern Ireland. These figures exclude the new Cunarder, which has not yet been ordered.
§ Mr. McMasterMay I ask my hon. and gallant Friend whether he is aware of the need for the extension of this assistance, in view of the fact that one of the main reasons for which it was given in the first place was the subsidising of building abroad, and it appears that that subsidisation is continuing while our shipyards are facing a period of more unemployment?
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettNo, Sir. The reason for the credit scheme, as stated by my right hon. Friend at the time, and by myself in the debate that we had, was to give the industry a breathing space, and this it has achieved. I hope that both sides of the industry will take full advantage of the breathing space to strengthen their competitive position.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesDoes the Minister's reference to the Cunarder which has not been ordered mean that a new order is to be placed just prior to the General Election?
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettThe hon. Gentleman is obsessed with the General Election, but I very much doubt whether it interests to any great extent the Board of the Cunard Company which will decide when the order is to be placed.