§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) how many vessels owned by the Maritime Fruit Carriers Company or its subsidiary Swan Maritime were built in British shipyards: 185W what Goverment financial assistance they received either in investment grants or loans; and what were the individual amounts and periods of time involved;
(2) what was the value and tonnage of ships ordered in British shipyards by Maritime Fruit Carriers which received Government financial assistance; and of those ordered how many were completed and cancelled, respectively;
(3) how many companies received financial assistance from the Government for vessels ordered by Maritime Fruit Carriers or its subsidiaries; which they were; and what were the amounts and conditions of the loans.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldTen ship-owning companies in the Maritime Fruit Carriers group have received investment grants under Section 5 of the Industrial Development Act 1966 in respect of 10 ships; and two shipbuilders have received construction grants under Section 11 of the Industry Act 1972 in respect of 13 ships. Both types of grant are subject to standard conditions and no loans or other special Government assistance has been given.
This assistance was provided in respect of 15 ships ordered from United Kingdom shipyards by companies in the Maritime Fruit Carriers group; they total about 600,000 gross tons; 12 have been delivered and none cancelled. One further ship has been delivered and may be eligible for construction grant bringing the total delivered to the group to 13.
For reasons of commercial confidentiality it is not the practice to disclose details of orders for ships or of grants paid, or to list the companies involved. In addition to the financial assistance, guarantees in respect of 12 ships ordered by Maritime Fruit Carriers or its subsidiaries have been given under Section 10 of the Industry Act 1972.