HC Deb 13 July 1955 vol 543 c178W
67. Mr. P. Williams

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many orders for new ships have been placed with British shipyards during the first six months of 1955; and how this compares with 1954.

Mr. J. P. L. Thomas

In the first six months of 1954, 88 ships were licensed of about 177,000 gross tons. I am afraid that the figures for the first six months of 1955 are not yet available but, in the first three months of 1955 alone, 60 ships were licensed of about 214,000 gross tons.