§ Sir David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Industry if, in view of the fact that Swedish shipbuilders are now offering credit terms of 10 per cent. initial payment, with a four-year moratorium on interest payments, followed by 15 years' credit at 8 per cent. a year, he will seek to make arrangements for British Shipbuilders to be able to match Swedish credit terms.
§ Mr. ButcherNo. I am not in a position to confirm that these credit terms are on offer by Swedish shipbuilders. However, unlike these builders United Kingdom shipyards are able to deploy direct Government subsidies in support of individual tenders. If all assistance for shipbuilding is taken into account United Kingdom aids compare very favourably with those available in Sweden.