HC Deb 24 June 1941 vol 372 cc944-6
34. Major Milner

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping how many shipyards, unused prior to the war, have since been brought into use; and how many of such shipyards still remain unused?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (Sir Victor Warrender)

I have been asked to reply. I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Govan (Mr. Maclean) on 10th December. The reasons then given for withholding the detailed information requested are not less valid at the present time.

Major Milner

Is it not the case that there is quite a number of shipyards that are quite incapable of being used at the present moment? Why is that? Has the Chairman of the National Shipbuilders Security anything to do with it?

Sir V. Warrender

No, Sir. The latter part of the question is not the case.

Mr. Benjamin Smith

Does the Minister deny that there are not in fact 17 shipyards fully equipped and not being utilised?

Sir V. Warrender

If I were to deny or accept that, I should be doing just what I am trying not to do.

Mr. Smith

Will the Minister inquire into the position of the utilisation of these shipyards with a view to the advancement of shipbuilding in this country?

Sir V. Warrender

Every possibility of increasing the shipbuilding capacity of this country has been and is consistently being inquired into.

Mr. Lawson

Is the Minister aware that there is grave concern in this country, not only in the ranks of the workers, but among the employers, concerning this matter? Is it receiving the attention it deserves in view of the feeling in the country?

Sir V. Warrender

It is certainly receiving the attention it deserves, and I have no doubt the point will be made perfectly clear during the shipping Debate.

Mr. Maclean

Have any yards been brought into production since the Minister answered my Question almost a year ago, when he said it was not in the public interest to speak of these things?

Sir V. Warrender

I am sorry, but I really cannot answer these questions. To do so would be doing exactly what I am trying to avoid, that is, to answer these questions in detail in public.

Mr. Speaker

The Minister cannot answer these questions.

Mr. Maclean

Then why cannot he answer them in private and let Members who represent shipbuilding constituencies know what is going on?