§ 59. Mr. Gourlayasked the Minister of Transport what steps he intends to take to safeguard employment in the Fife shipyards, in view of the decision to allow the building of fishing vessels in foreign shipyards with the aid of Government subsidies.
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettIt is too early to conclude that shipyards in Fife will be unable to secure orders if this protection is removed.
§ 60. Lady Tweedsmuirasked the Minister of Transport, in view of his decision to allow grants and loans for fishing vessels to be paid to trawler owners building abroad, if he is satisfied that all vessels built abroad for British owners have met the same classification requirements as ships built in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on this aspect of the matter.
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettThere is no legal requirement under the Merchant Shipping Acts for British fishing vessels to be classed by a classification society. Nevertheless, the White Fish Authority have required applicants for grant and loan to have vessels built according to class. I understand that they propose to retain this condition in future whether the vessels are built at home or abroad. I also understand that the Herring Industry Board satisfy themselves that vessels whose construction 127W they assist are built to an acceptable standard and that they will continue to do this.