§ Mr. Ridleyasked the Minister of Transport which Commonwealth countries have taken powers which enable them to control the extent to which their shipowners may place orders for ships or their equipment in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. MarplesCanadian regulations stipulate that, to qualify for subsidy from the Canadian Government, ships must be built in Canada and must incorporate as much Canadian materials or equipment as practicable.
In Australia an import licence is required before any ship can be imported for use in the coastal trade.
A number of Commonwealth countries have the power to impose import controls for balance of payments reasons.
§ Mr. Ridleyasked the Minister of Transport what representation he has made to the Canadian Government, following the loss by a British yard of an order for a 25,000 ton cargo ship for the Hall Corporation of Canada because of the Canadian shipbuilding subsidy, in view of the effect of this subsidy on the United Kingdom shipbuilding industry.
§ Mr. MarplesI have made no representations about this particular case, since the Canadian Government are well aware of our views on their decision to resort to shipbuilding subsidies.