45. Miss WARDasked the Prime Minister whether he has had his attention called to important conferences taking place on the North-East Coast; and whether he will afford Parliamentary time to discuss the problems of this area?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)As my hon. Friend is aware, the Government have already promised to give a day to discuss the reports of the investigators into the distressed areas, and the problems of those areas. Owing to a personal communication that I have received from my hon. Friend, I understand that her question has reference also to the possibility of building a second Cunarder on the Tyne. I am fully aware of the views of the representatives of the North-East Coast as to this. A question on the subject is, in fact, to be answered this afternoon by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
§ 65. Mr. McKEAGasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any representation has been made by the Government to the Cunard Company that the sister ship to the "Queen Mary" should be built on the Tyne; and, if not, whether it is proposed to make any such representation?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINNo decision has as yet been taken to build a sister ship 348 to the "Queen Mary"; and in these circumstances the question does not arise.
§ Mr. McKEAGMay I ask whether, in consideration of the substantial financial assistance given by the State in connection with the building of these vessels, the Government did or did not reserve to themselves the right to make recommendations or stipulations as to where these vessels should be built.
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe question does not really arise because no question has yet arisen of building a sister ship.