§ 8. Sir ROBERT THOMASasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to state what steps he has taken, or proposes to take, in view of the fact that the Shipbuilding Joint Inquiry Committee have reported that the high prices of materials which have to be purchased by builders for use in the construction of ships are prejudicing the total costs of shipbuilding, and that these high prices are due to the operations of rings and price-fixing associations?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Sir B. Chadwick)I understand that the joint Committee decided to seek first an interview with the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer on the subject of the discontinuance of the Trade Facilities Act, and only subsequently to approach the Departments concerned with the other matters dealt with in the Report, including those to which the hon. Member specially refers. The interview with the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer has recently taken place, and I expect now to be approached shortly by the Joint Committee.
§ Sir R. THOMASIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that in the Report issued by this Joint Committee it was specifically asked that the Board of Trade should inquire without delay into these rings and price-fixing associations?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKYes, Sir; but, as I have said, we are ready to see the Committee whenever the Committee invites us to do so. It is not for the Board of Trade to approach the Committee. For one reason or another, an invitation to the Board of Trade has not been received, but, as I say, we are quite ready to meet them.
§ Mr. CONNOLLYIs the hon. Gentleman aware that nine months ago inquiries were promised? Have any preliminary inquiries been made into the serious allegations in the Joint Report, and are the Government now convinced that a prima facie case has been made out for a full inquiry into this matter?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKI could hardly say that until we have had our conference with the Joint Committee, which has been the subject of discussion for some time, and I cannot say more than that we are ready to meet that Committee and go into these matters whenever they like to invite us to do so.
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe cannot debate this now.
§ Sir R. THOMASOn a point of Order. I have put this question to the President of the Board of Trade three times since June of last year, and, having regard to the very unsatisfactory reply which the hon. Gentleman has now made, I beg to give notice that I shall call the attention of this House to this matter at the first opportunity.