HC Deb 28 February 1939 vol 344 cc1053-5
5. Mr. T. Johnston

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will arrange to place in the Library of the House of Commons copies of any reports in his possession giving particulars of the financial assistance supplied by the Governments of Germany and Japan to firms of shipbuilders in their respective countries?

Mr. Stanley

I am arranging for such information as I have to be made available as soon as possible.

Mr. Johnston

In the Library?

Mr. Stanley

Yes, Sir.

6. Mr. Robert Gibson

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many shipbuilding berths were vacant, and how many merchant vessels were under construction at the last available date in the Greenock area; how many of these vessels are due to be launched within the next three and six months, respectively; and how many orders are in hand to replace the vessels so launched?

Mr. Stanley

I am informed that 18 ocean-going merchant ships are at present under construction in the Greenock and Port Glasgow area and that berths with capacity for 19 such vessels are vacant. It is expected that 10 merchant vessels will be launched in the next three months and a further six vessels in the succeeding three months. I understand that there are at present no orders in hand to replace these launches.

Mr. Gibson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that state of affairs is causing very grave alarm in Greenock?

Mr. Stanley

Yes, and I have informed the House on several occasions that we regard it as a matter of great urgency, although it is also a matter of considerable difficulty.

Mr. Gibson

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he will be in a position to make any statement with regard to the future of this matter?

Mr. Stanley

Shortly, I hope.

9 Mr. Shinwell

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether it is proposed to give legislative effect to all, or any, of the suggestions recently advanced by British ship owners for the assistance of the Mercantile Marine; and whether the reorganisation of the industry will be the fundamental condition to be complied with before State aid is given;

(2) whether his Department has arrived at any decisions for the reorganisation and strengthening of the British Mercantile Marine; and, if not, will he give an assurance that no reorganisation plan will be advanced without prior consultation with the accredited trade union representatives of officers and seamen;

(3) when he expects to be in a position to inform hon. Members of the Government's proposals for assistance to the Mercantile Marine and the shipbuilding industry?

Mr. Stanley

The position of the shipping and shipbuilding industries is still under consideration by the Government, and a statement will be made as soon as possible, but I am afraid I am not yet in a position to indicate when this will be. I recognise the interest of officers and seamen in the matter. I have already received a deputation from the National Union of Seamen, the Navigat- ing and Engineer Officers' Union, and the Transport and General Workers Union, and the points raised will receive full consideration before any decision is reached.

Mr. Shinwell

As regards the last part of the first question, may I ask whether the question of a subsidy, that is to say, financial assistance, to the industry is the only matter under consideration, or whether the ship owners have furnished the right hon. Gentleman with proposals in respect of the reorganisation of the industry?

Mr. Stanley

I think the shipowners' proposals have already been published, but as far as the Government are concerned, of course, the whole question is under consideration.

Mr. Shinwell

But is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that in the proposals formulated by the shipowners nothing is said about reorganisation of the industry, putting their house in order, and are we to understand that all that is before the right hon. Gentleman is the question of whether the Government are to provide financial assistance?

Mr. Stanley

No, Sir. I have already said that the proposals of the shipowners did not contain any proposals for the fundamental reorganisation of the industry, but, as far as the Government are concerned, they are considering the whole position.