HC Deb 27 November 1975 vol 901 c274W
Mr. Ian Lloyd

asked the Minister for Overseas Development if he will give an undertaking that no funds will be made available to the Cochin shipyard project under the recently announced offer of £10.42 million in aid towards the import of parts and materials for the building of five 75,000 dwt ships until an assurance is received from the Government of India that British vessels will be able to continue trading between India and neighbouring States on a completely non-discriminatory basis.

Mr. Prentice

No. If India is to save and earn the foreign exchange she needs to help pay for faster development it is reasonable that she should expand her merchant fleet and her shipbuilding capacity, and I am ready to sanction the use of British aid for sound projects in this area. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade is investigating reports that discriminatory practices might be introduced against British ships trading between India and neighbouring States, but these are not so far confirmed.

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