HC Deb 24 June 1948 vol 452 cc1559-60
55. Sir Ronald Ross

asked the Economic Secretary to the Treasury why the allocation of steel to shipbuilding has decreased while the production of steel has increased.

Mr. Jay

The allocation of steel to the shipbuilding industry for 1948 exceeds the allocation made for 1947.

Sir R. Ross

Can the Economic Secretary explain why it is that the shipyard of Harland and Wolff, the biggest private yard in the Kingdom, has received far less steel than it used to get and has not nearly enough to meet its requirements?

Mr. Jay

Both the allocations and the deliveries this year are larger than last year over the whole industry.

Mr. Erroll

Can the Minister say what is the tonnage of the allocation this year?

Mr. Jay

That is another question.

Mr. Chetwynd

Can my hon. Friend say whether the actual deliveries are matching the allocations this year?

Mr. Jay

In the most recent period they have been exceeding them.

Mr. Charles Williams

Can the Minister explain why such great difficulties are put in the way of small shipyards in the West of England which are unable to get any steel at all?

Mr. Jay

If the hon. Member would let me have particulars I would look into that matter.

Mr. Williams

When particulars are given, all that happens is that the position is made more difficult than ever.