§ 45. Mr. LYONSasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the probable commercial advantage of the completion of the new Cunard liner, he will consider the advisability of issuing bonds guaranteed wholly or in part by the Treasury to ensure the completion of the ship and in the interests of employment connected therewith?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Wallsend (Miss Ward) on the 24th November last, to which I am not in a position to add anything.
§ Mr. LYONSMay I ask whether the Cunard Company have expressed any view as to the desirability of this ship being built in view of the present Atlantic trade, and whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer can say how many men would be put into work by the completion of this vessel?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINAs regards the first part of the Supplementary Question, I have no reason to suppose that the Cunard Company are not still convinced that it is desirable to build a vessel of this sort. As regards the second part of the question, the hon. Member must give me notice.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODCannot the Chancellor of the Exchequer get into touch with the Cunard Company with a view to this ship being commissioned because three out of every five men engaged in the shipbuilding industry in this country are unemployed. Cannot he get into touch with the company and get work started on this ship?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODThis is too serious a matter for the Government always to tell us that these matters are being considered. They have been telling me that for a year. I want to know what the Government are going to do.