§ Mr. McMasterasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will seek power to enable him to ascertain the number, tonnage and cost of new ships ordered abroad by British shipping companies and oil companies; and if he will regularly publish the information so obtained.
§ Mr. MasonPowers to collect information about orders placed by British companies exist under the Statistics of Trade Act, 1947. These powers are not used. Much information about orders placed abroad for new ships is already published in the Press.