§ Sir R. Rankinasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that, as a result of the recent rise in the cost of shipbuilding in this country, orders have been placed by British shipowners abroad to the value of approximately £4,000,000; and whether he proposes to take any steps to discourage this increased diversion of orders to the Continent?
§ Captain Wallace:I have no information as to the value of orders given by 702W British shipowners for the construction of ships abroad, as a result of the recent rise in the cost of shipbuilding in this country, but I am aware that, during recent years, orders have been placed abroad, chiefly in Germany and Holland. My right hon. Friend, as at present advised, regrets that there is no practicable method of securing that such orders are not placed in foreign shipyards.