§ Mr. PERCY ALDEN(by Private Notice) asked the Shipping Controller whether he can state what arrangements 87 have been made for the building of merchant vessels to take the place of those that have been sunk, and whether it is possible to state the number of ships which are already under construction, and the number that it is proposed to commence next month?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of SHIPPING CONTROL (Sir Leo Chiozza Money)Arrangements have been made to carry out a large programme of new construction of standardised merchant vessels of several suitable types. In addition, every effort is being made to accelerate the construction of such merchant vessels already building as are of greatest value at the present time. I regret that it is not possible for me to give details either as to the number of ships under construction or as to the number to be laid down in the near future, but I can assure my hon. Friend that no effort is being spared to utilise the nation's shipbuilding capacity to the utmost limit for merchant shipbuilding, with due regard to Admiralty needs.
§ Mr. E. WASONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a shipbuilding yard at Alloa, on the Forth, to which the Treasury refused to make a grant for a further extension of their works, and is he prepared to receive a small deputation to consider whether or not they would not ask the Treasury, under the circumstances, to facilitate the carrying out of this all-important industry?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYCertainly; and I should like to add that any suggestion or information of that kind that any hon. Member of the House can give to the Shipping Controller will be not only welcomed but acted upon.
§ Commander WEDGWOODArising out of that, and the previous reply, may I ask whether the hon. Gentleman can reassure the House that orders for private ships given before the War have not been stopped owing to the taking over by the Government?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYI can only say that every case of shipbuilding now in progress is being individually considered. If it is a case which is helpful at the moment for a suitable cargo vessel it is accelerated, but if it is a vessel of unsuitable type it is retarded. Every effort is made to make shipyards of the utmost value to the nation.
§ Commander WEDGWOODThen a useful ship, which has been ordered before the War by a private shipping firm, has not stopped work upon it, but proceeds as before?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYNot only proceeds as before, but proceeds at an accelerated rate because of the facilities we can give.
§ Mr. G. LAMBERTCan the hon. Gentleman say whether the labour for these merchant ships is under the Shipping Controller or under the Admiralty?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYThe answer to that question is—under joint control. The Shipyard Labour Department is endeavouring to organise shipyard labour to the best possible advantage, and that Shipyard Labour Department, although primarily under the control of the Admiralty, has also relations with the Department I represent.
§ Mr. PRINGLECan the hon. Gentleman say whether steps have been taken to return men from the Army to shipbuilding and marine engineering?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYThe answer is that for a very long time every effort has been made to release suitable men from the Army for those all-essential industries.
§ Mr. FLAVINAs the question of food is of such vital importance, may I ask whether the hon. Gentleman can give any assurance that the number of ships which have been constructed or are under construction since the beginning of the War are, roughly speaking, equivalent to the number lost or captured?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYIt is obviously quite imposible for me to answer that question.
§ Mr. PRINGLECan the hon. Gentleman reply to the questions put in the course of the Debate yesterday, during the adjourned Debate?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYThose questions are questions of essential facts, and notice ought to be given in regard to each of them.
§ Mr. PRINGLEThe questions were put in the Debate yesterday