HC Deb 17 March 1947 vol 435 cc20-1W
88. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Minister of Transport if he will reconsider the decision to allow British shipowners to purchase 140 United States ships at a cost of 100,000,000 dollars, in view of our dwindling dollar resources and the fact that we can build our own ships.

Mr. G. R. Strauss

In answer to a Question by the hon. Member for Montrose (Mr. Maclay) my right hon. Friend explained the circumstances in which His Majesty's Government had decided upon the offers to purchase ships from U.S.A. Owing to our heavy losses in the war we need these ships in addition to all that we can build ourselves, and their purchase will be a prudent dollar investment.