§ 89. Mr. Rankinasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to the launching at Kiel in December, 1954, of the first of 24 fish-factory ships being built in West German shipyards for the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; whether he is aware that the value of this contract secured by Western Germany is in the region of £17 million; and what steps he is taking to encourage the placing of similar orders with shipbuilders in this country.
§ Mr. DigbyMy attention has been drawn to the launching of the ship to which the hon. Member refers, and I can assure him that licences will certainly be issued to British shipbuilders for similar, ships if and when orders are forthcoming. It should not be assumed that they have not competed for orders for ships of this type.
§ 90. Mr. Willeyasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will make a statement on the progress of discussions about the restrictions on the export of ships to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and Eastern Europe.