HC Deb 11 July 1944 vol 401 cc1564-5
25. Mr. A. Edwards

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take in, connection with the ban on shipbuilding placed on sites purchased by Shipbuilding Securities, Limited, so that certain development areas could revive their native industries.

Mr. Dalton

I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty and my Noble Friend the Minister of War Transport on the future of shipbuilding with special reference to employment in the Development Areas.

Mr. Edwards

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the action of Shipbuilding Securities, Limited, apart from the damage it did in other parts of the country, completely blotted out the shipbuilding industry on the Tees and, in the national emergency, some yards had to be brought into being again? Will he give an undertaking that he will not allow that 40 years' ban to operate after the war?

Mr. Dalton

I have already said that I am in consultation with my two right hon. Friends who are primarily concerned. What we must aim at, of course, is a large and stable shipbuilding programme after the war but it must be planned, having regard to geographical and all other circumstances.

Mr. Edwards

Can the President of the Board of Trade give an undertaking that a ban of this kind shall not be allowed to operate in a specific district? I understood that he had already done that in a previous speech.

Mr. Dalton

No pre-war bans would operate against a new decision of the Government taken after careful consideration with a view to getting a stable shipbuilding programme in this country. I have already said I am in consultation with my two right hon. Friends with that end in view.

Mr. Neil Maclean

May I ask whether any programme of that kind which may be put into operation dealing with a ban placed upon shipbuilding in certain places by this Company will be brought before this House for discussion, and not be allowed to operate as a mandate from a strong body of shipbuilding owners?

Mr. Dalton

I have no doubt that the future of shipbuilding will be the subject of discussion in this House at a suitable moment. I think it would be a very suitable topic for discussion, but the plans are not yet ready.