HC Deb 21 April 1932 vol 264 cc1631-2
38. Mr. KIRKWOOD

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the need for stimulating a revival in the shipbuilding and ancillary industries, he will set up a committee of inquiry into all possible methods of affording assistance to the Cunard Company to enable the company to restart construction work on liner 534 at Clydebank?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Hare-Belisha)

The position of the Government in this matter was stated in the reply given to the hon. Member on 8th March, and His Majesty's Government do not consider that any useful purpose would be served by the appointment of such a committee as he suggests.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Does not the hon. Gentleman accept the view advanced by influential shipowners and ship-builders that a restart on the new Cunarder would have an encouraging effect on shipbuilding and engineering, on the iron and steel trade and the coal industry?

Viscountess ASTOR

Do we understand that the hon. Member for Dumbarton Burghs (Mr. Kirkwood) is here to represent private enterprise?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

I cannot answer the Noble Lady's question, but in reply to the hon. Member for Dumbarton Burghs, I would say that His Majesty's Government are very sensible of the feelings of those interested in this matter. But there are only two courses open, either that the Government should finance the transaction or that the company should finance it itself, and there seems to be no reason for relieving the company of its autonomy or of its responsibility.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

It is evident that the Government, which is a National Government, have made up their minds not to give any assistance to the building of this vessel, which would be a national ship.

Mr. BUCHANAN

In view of the uncertainty to everybody in the locality and in various parts of the country as to whether the job is going cit or not and the serious effect of that uncertainty on trade generally, will not the Government take steps to see the company and get a definite pronouncement one way or another in order to relieve the tension?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

I have said that the Government are quite appreciative of the point of view which the hon. Member expresses. They have seen the company and other interested parties, but the company is in possession of resources and can determine its own policy.

Mr. MAXTON

May we take it that the National Government have no influence whatever with the big industrialists in this country?