§ 17. Mr. Stratton Millsasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will seek to arrange credit facilities for British shipowners building at home equal to those for foreign shipowners building in British yards; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MasonCredit facilities in respect of building by United Kingdom shipowners in United Kingdom yards is one of the subjects dealt with by the Geddes Committee. I have at present no statement to make.
§ Mr. MillsDoes not the Minister of State agree that the present arrangements are placing British shipowners at a disadvantage and encouraging them to build abroad?
§ Mr. MasonBecause the British shipowners must fight in competitive markets. If they are to match international freight rates, they must buy in the cheapest 1529 market and must take into account price, delivery date, speed of building and design, which are almost as important as credit facilities.