§ Mr. A. Lewisasked the Prime Minister (1) how many Polish orders for British-built merchant ships have been placed since 1951; what action on them 271W was taken by Her Majesty's Government; and whether Her Majesty's Government placed a veto on any such order or proposal;
(2) how many Bulgarian orders for British-built merchant ships have been placed since 1951; what proposals have been made by the Bulgarian Government in this period for barter deals involving British ships and Bulgarian products; what action on them was taken by Her Majesty's Government; and whether Her Majesty's Government placed a veto on any such orders or proposals;
(3) how many Russian orders for Scottish-built merchant ships have been placed since 1951; what action on them was taken by Her Majesty's Government; and whether Her Majesty's Government placed a veto on any such order.
§ The Prime MinisterSince 1951, British shipyards have received orders for five merchant ships and one floating dock from Poland, and Scottish yards have received orders for three merchant ships from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Her Majesty's Government issued construction licences for all these ships. There have been no orders from Bulgaria for ships in this period, nor am I aware of any proposals put forward by the Bulgarian Government for barter deals involving British ships.
In 1952 British yards received inquiries from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics about ten ships of strategic importance which come under the embargo agreed internationally in 1950. Her Majesty's Government declined to authorise the construction of these particular ships.