§ 18. Mr. Robert Gibsonasked the President of the Board of Trade the number of diesel engines and the aggregate horsepower thereof imported into the United Kingdom during each of the last three years; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the internal-combustion engines required for new shipping qualifying for Government grant under his recently-announced scheme will be manufactured in this country?
§ Mr. StanleyDuring the year 1938 imports into the United Kingdom of internal-combustion engines of diesel, semi-diesel and similar types, including parts thereof, amounted to 7,115 tons, valued at £578,000. These imports are recorded by weight and value only. I regret that corresponding figures for earlier years are not available, as such imports were not separately recorded prior to 1938. The Shipbuilding Conference have assured me that British materials will be used so far as possible in the construction of vessels built under the Government's scheme for assisting shipping.
§ Mr. GibsonDoes that matter come within the purview of the Board of Trade? Has the right hon. Gentleman's Department the power to give directions, or is the Department merely consulted?
§ Mr. StanleyI have expressed the hope that, as far as possible, British material will be used, but ever since Protection was introduced the principle has been maintained that it should be possible to import those engines which alone can be obtained from abroad.
§ Mr. GibsonWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there is already considerable unemployment in this branch of engineering in Greenock and a danger of further unemployment? Will he keep that point in mind when further orders are placed?
§ Mr. Benjamin SmithHas the Department considered the question of giving a grant for speed over a certain number of knots, instead of, as at present, dealing with the question on the basis of the number of ships laid down—2,000,000 tons—with a maximum speed of 10 knots only?
§ Mr. StanleyNo, Sir, we are not differentiating on the question of speed.