BEARDMORE'S MARINE ENGINEERING WORKS. (Hansard, 13 November 1934)

§ 45. Mr. KIRKWOOD
asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government will take over Messrs. Beardmore's 1761 marine engineering works at Dalmuir, which are being closed by the firm, with a view to the building of engines and other equipment there for ships of the Navy or for aeroplanes or other national purposes?

§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)
No, Sir; I am advised that adequate facilities are already available for meeting Government requirements in the directions indicated.

§ Mr. KIRKWOOD
Am I to understand that the Prime Minister is going to allow one of the best equipped engineering shipyards in Britain to be scrapped by the National Shipbuilding Securities, Ltd., when their purpose is to scrap redundant shipyards and engineering shipyards, and that by no stretch of the imagination can this yard be classed in that category?

§ The PRIME MINISTER
I do not think it is possible to agree with the hon. Member in the matter of redundancy.

§ Mr. TINKER
As regards the closing down of works, have the Cabinet any idea of planning ahead?

§ Mr. MACLEAN
Is it not the case that in a district which is scheduled as a distressed area, the Government can deal with it in this way, and, seeing that this shipyard was one of the mainstays of the Government during and since the War, will he take steps to prevent this kind of thing happening on the Clyde and elsewhere?

§ Mr. RADFORD
In giving consideration to this subject, will the Government also take into account the closed engineering works in the Manchester district?

§ Mr. LAWSON
In the conference with the National Shipbuilding Securities, Ltd., can the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration any question of the future planning of these areas?

§ The PRIME MINISTER
If the hon. Member will put a question to the President of the Board of Trade on the subject, he will be glad to exchange views on the matter.

§ Mr. KIRKWOOD
The Prime Minister has referred to the President of the Board of Trade. I have done that. Is 1762 the right hon. Gentleman aware that this engineering shop is one of the best equipped in Britain, and that it is the birthplace, the cradle of engineering, as it is the place where Robert Napier laid down shipbuilding engineering shops as we understand them?