HC Deb 16 May 1939 vol 347 cc1166-7
22. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that shipbuilding firms carrying out Government contracts and proposed subsidised shipbuilding have obtained and are obtaining the required steel castings from abroad; that pattern makers and moulders in the vicinity of the firms are unemployed; and what action is it intended to take to deal with this matter?

Mr. Stanley

I should be glad to consider any instances which the hon. Member cares to bring to my attention where foreign castings are being used in the construction of merchant ships when British castings are available at competitive prices. Admiralty shipbuilding contracts require the steel castings used to be of British manufacture.

Mr. Smith

Is the right hon. Gentleman considering the advisability of issuing a regulation that where shipbuilding contracts are subsidised the material and castings should be ordered in Britain or in the Colonies?

Mr. Stanley

No, Sir. I have to take into consideration the questions of time and availability, because it is my desire to get ships as quickly as possible, but I have expressed the hope that wherever possible British material will be used, and I have received an assurance on the point. If the hon. Member has any information which leads him to believe that it is not being observed, I shall be very glad to have it.

Mr. Edwards

Do we understand that the Board of Trade is not aware of any steel castings for this purpose coming from Germany?

Mr. Stanley

No, Sir. I said that I should like instances in which British castings available at competitive prices were not being used.

Mr. Austin Hopkinson

Is it not a fact that British steel castings are not available anywhere at any time at competitive prices?