§ 39. Sir C. Osborneasked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the fact that the British steel industry is paying three to four times more freight costs on imported iron ore than its Continental counterparts, if he will take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to encourage the building of bigger ships, and so reduce freight rates; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MasonBritish shipyards can already build dry cargo bulk carriers up to any size likely to be used in the foreseeable future and no useful purpose would be served by requiring or encouraging British yards to build bigger ships than are ordered from them. The question of the likely effect of using bigger ships on British ore prices is for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Power.