asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what consideration the Shipbuilding Advisory Committee has given to the question of the tonnage of vessels ordered by United Kingdom shipowners from foreign yards.

The Shipbuilding Advisory Committee has given consideration to the question of orders placed by United Kingdom shipowners from foreign yards; and I can assure the hon. Member that the Committee will continue to pay close attention to any fresh evidence on the subject that comes before it.

This reply is more reassuring than the hon. Gentleman's earlier replies, but will he consider publishing the advice that this committee cares to make, since there is considerable and widespread interest in this problem, in view of the fact that this is an industry which has depended on exports but which has become an importing industry? Has not this become a very serious matter for the country?

The Committee, as its name implies, is an advisory committee. For that reason, therefore, I am afraid that I could not consider publishing its recommendations.