HC Deb 03 October 1939 vol 351 cc1793-4
11. Mr. Shinwell

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can make any statement as to the Government's intentions with- regard to the British Shipping (Assistance) Bill, and, particularly, the schemes of loans and grants for shipbuilding under that Bill?

Mr. Stanley

Yes, Sir. The Government will be prepared to consider applications from shipowners for loans in accordance with the main provisions of the scheme described in Section 3 of Grid. 6060 in respect of vessels for which binding contracts had been entered into before to-day's date as a result of my statement in this House on 28th March last. The Board of Trade will have to be satisfied in each case that the construction of the vessel is in the national interest. A circular letter will shortly be issued to the shipowners concerned as to the procedure to be followed by those who wish to apply for loans in respect of such vessels. As regards shipbuilding grants, the Government are reviewing the position in the light of developments and their decision will be announced in due course. The other schemes covered by the British Shipping (Assistance) Bill are obviously unnecessary or inapplicable in war-time, and it is not intended to proceed with the Bill.

Mr. Shinwell

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether, in connection with the scheme, he proposes to expedite the production of vessels of standard type?

Mr. Stanley

That is rather a different point. The answer I have given refers to orders which have already been placed by shipowners. The hon. Member's question refers to orders which are now being placed by the Government directly. It is not our intention at the moment to build ships of a standard type. Orders are being placed for ships of simple type of the nature which happen at the moment to be most urgently required.

.Mr. Shinwell

Will the right hon. Gentleman see, in connection with this matter, that the activities of the shipbuilding firms are co-ordinated so as to expedite the building of these vessels?

Mr. Stanley

Yes, Sir. I have a committee advising me on that very point.

Mr. Kirkwood

Arising out of the reply, in which the right hon. Gentleman said that the Government are going to build ships, will those ships be built under the supervision of civil servants, or will the Government have somebody on the job who understands shipbuilding?

Mr. Stanley

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that neither 1 nor any of my officers consider ourselves capable of advising on such an extremely technical matter. Certainly, we shall make use of outside technical advice on it.

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