72. Sir WALTER RUNCIMANasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping Control whether, in view of the fact that shipbuilders are only allowed to have a very small proportion of their requirements in steel, and that material for standardised vessels is given precedence or priority over material for cargo vessels of different but, in the opinion of many cargo shipowners, of equally useful design. the Controller is able to say that no cargo vessels of nonstandard design now in course of construction are, or have been, left without material for completion, and have accordingly been delayed, and in some cases indefinitely delayed?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYIt is not the fact that material for standard ships is given precedence or priority over material for other cargo vessels now under construction which could be completed earlier or in the same time as those ships.
73. Sir W. RUNCIMANasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether the Controller is aware of the shortage of labour in the dry docks and ship-repairing establishments, and in view of the fact that loss of time in dry docks and on repairs is equivalent to a reduction of tonnage available for national purposes, and that it is as necessary to expedite the repairing as it is to accelerate the building of cargo vessels, he can assure the House, firstly, that no more men of any age will be taken for Army purposes from the dry docks and ship-repairing establishments; secondly, that men capable of doing this skilled and unskilled work will be returned from the Army forthwith, and, thirdly, that the shortage of labour on this work will be remedied without any further delay?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYThe important matters raised by my right hon. Friend are engaging our close attention. A special organisation has been set up to accelerate repairs. No men have been taken for Army purposes from the dry docks and ship-repairing establishments; on the contrary, a certain number of men have been released from the Colours for this work in the present year, and the question of obtaining more is under serious consideration. As to dry docks generally, the shortage of facilities is more in respect of material than of labour, but both points are being dealt with.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs the shortage of material for repairing not due to the diversion of material from repairs to the standardised ships?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYThe answer to that question is in the negative. AT these cases are considered on their merits, and the very best is made of the available material.
§ Mr. HOLTCan the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that there is as much material as there are men to use it?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYThe shortage of steel in this country is a legacy of prewar neglect, and the Government has done and is doing its best to cope with it.