§ 16. Mr. Dixonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the progress of discussions in the European Economic Community on shipbuilding.
§ Mr. Giles ShawAs I told the House in the debate on the new draft directive on shipbuilding on Monday, we176W already have the prospect of a regime which will allow our builders to compete more fairly, and to do so within an overall level of subvention that is greater than present arrangements permit. These are already considerable improvements on the present filth directive. We shall seek agreement on the new directive at the Industry Council arranged for 22 December. With the support of this House, we shall continue to press the Commission for a higher aid ceiling than the 26 per cent. of cost which it has proposed.
§ 23. Mr. Millanasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals on aids to shipbuilding he will be putting to the next meeting of the European Community Council of Industry Ministers on 22 December.
§ Mr. Giles ShawMay I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I have just given to the hon. Member for Jarrow (Mr. Dixon). I stress that we shall spare no effort in pressing for a higher aid ceiling than the Commission has proposed.