71. Lieut.-Colonel MOOREasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware whether the Shipbuilders' National Securities Corporation contemplate or are negotiating the purchase of any further shipyards in Scotland; and, if so, will he give their designation and locality?
§ Mr. W. R. SMITHI fear I have no information on this point.
Lieut.-Colonel MOOREArising out of that rather unsatisfactory reply, may I ask the hon. Gentleman if he will endeavour to put this matter before his right hon. Friend with a view to suggesting that the corporation should confine their attention to ill-equipped and old shipyards, instead of new ones which will ultimately become assets to the nation when this depression has passed?
§ Mr. SMITHI am afraid that it would be rather difficult to commence advising a body like this on the steps which they ought to take to carry out their own duties.
72. Lieut.-Colonel MOOREasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has been able to make any arrangements with the Shipbuilders' National Securities Corporation whereby new industries may be located in the shipyards recently bought by that corporation in Scotland or whether he has initiated any negotiations with that end in view?
§ Mr. SMITHI have no doubt that the National Shipbuilders Security, Limited, would be anxious to dispose of sites that may belong to them, and I am confident that they would co-operate with any movement that has for its object the utilisation of such sites for new industries. My Department would also be ready to co-operate in any way that may prove practicable.
Lieut.-Colonel MOOREWill the hon. Gentleman remember that numerous new 400 industries, from foreign sources, are springing up along the Great West Road and that these might be very suitably redirected towards our depressed shipyard areas?