§ 1. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the Minister of Labour how many men were employed in the shipbuilding and engineering industries in Scotland in 1920; what was the aggregate output of tonnage for that year; how many men are now employed; and what has been the displacement of labour in the Clyde area between 1920 and 1934?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Sir Henry Betterton)I regret that comparable statistics are not available showing the numbers of men employed in the shipbuilding and engineering industries in Scotland in 1920 and 1934 or the extent 1054 to which labour has been displaced in the Clyde area during that period. I understand that the gross tonnage of merchant vessels built in Scotland in 1920 was 764,618, and the tonnage of British war vessels launched at Clyde yards was 429. No official statistics are available as to the output of the engineering industries in Scotland in 1920.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODCan the right hon. Gentleman give me the information from the year 1923 up to the latest possible date?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONYes, I shall be glad to give the hon. Member the information asked for from 1923 up to 1933, and I shall be glad to do so by letter or in the form of an answer to a question.