§ Mr. Wakehamasked the Secretary of State for Industry what representations his Department has received concerning the restoration of discretion to finance houses to grant marine mortgages for more than two years; and what estimate he has made of the likely increase in sales of small boats if the period for marine mortgages were extended to five years.
§ Mr. MeacherMy right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State saw a delegation from the Ship and Boat Builders National Federation in December 1974 and has since received further representations on this subject from the federation. I regret that it is not possible to estimate the increase in sales that would result if the mortgage period were extended.