§ Mr. Shinwellasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the high cost of ship replacement which has led to cancellation of shipbuilding orders and is retarding the development of British shipping; and what steps he intends to take to remedy the position.
§ Mr. MarplesThe main reason for cancellation of shipbuilding orders is the present depressed state of the shipping freight market rather than the cost of new ships. Competition in shipbuilding is keener now than at any other time since the war.