§ 77. Sir J. BUTCHERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether he has had under consideration, since March, 1918, proposals from responsible persons for the employment of a large number of Belgian shipwrights and engineers in the production in this country of additional British tonnage during the present stress of war and for the establishment of a going concern which would give a large amount of employment in shipbuilding after the War for British workmen who otherwise might then become unemployed through stoppage of the manufacture of munitions; and whether he will endeavour, without further delay, to come to such arrangements as will enable those offers to be accepted under conditions which will benefit British and Allied interests by the supply of new shipping during the War and which will be of advantage to British industrial interests both during the War and afterwards?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)I will answer this question, if I may. It is true that proposals, as indicated in the question, have been under consideration. As I have stated on several occasions, it has not been the policy of the Government to sanction or assist in the establishment of new shipyards during the period of the War. The reasons which have led the Government to arrive at this decision I may perhaps be allowed to repeat, namely, that the shortage of labour did not permit of such new works being undertaken, and also that even could the labour for construction be provided, the shortage of plant and material necessary to equip the yards after completion was very acute, and it was accordingly decided to concen- 2306 trate upon existing yards and such extensions thereto as would be productive in the near future. For these reasons it was decided that the proposal to which my hon. and learned Friend refers could not be acceded to, nor do I hold out any hope of the previous decision being reversed in the near future.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERIn view of the urgent necessity for the production of British tonnage now and after the War, will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider his proposals and, if necessary, hand some of the Government yards which are not particularly active as yet to the persons who put forward this proposal?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThat proposal has been made before—the handing over of the national shipyards—and it has already been set aside. I shall be prepared to give my hon. and learned Friend all the details and he can see what has been considered. The matter is not absolutely closed. I am ready to consider matters still further.
§ Mr. HOUSTONWill the right hon. Gentleman send me the same?