HC Deb 03 June 1965 vol 713 cc248-9W
45. Mr. Pounder

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he intends to take to assist shipbuilding in the United Kingdom, in view of the recommendation of the Commission of the European Economic Community to the Council of Ministers of the Community on the subject of shipbuilding subsidy in the countries of the Community.

46. Mr. Edward M. Taylor

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the recent decision of the Executive Commission of the Common Market that member countries will, as from 1967, grant state aid amounting to 10 per cent. of the cost of building a ship or of any shipyard project such as rationalisation or reconversion, and that certain member nations, subject to the Commission's approval, will be permitted to grant direct subsidies up to 15 per cent.; what effect this decision will have on the British shipbuilding industry; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mason

The Government are studying the complicated proposals by the Commission for financial assistance to shipbuilding from 1967, in member countries of the European Economic Community. It is too early to assess what damage these proposals might do to our industry if they were approved by the member countries or what steps we might have to take.