§ 5. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that certain shipbuilding and ship-repairing firms in Aberdeen have failed to apply for priority treatment certificates for the supply of steel, thereby causing unemploy- 954 ment; which Aberdeen firms have applied and with what results; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that all such firms apply for certificates.
§ Mr. J. P. L. ThomasNo, Sir. The merchant shipbuilding and repairing firms in Aberdeen were given details of the preferential treatment scheme at the time of its inception last July, and were instructed how to obtain preferential treatment certificates. All three firms in Aberdeen have applied for preferential treatment certificates, and these were issued on various dates between 24th July and 11th October. In all, nine such certificates have been issued. I would remind the hon. and learned Member that the preferential treatment scheme is only designed to overcome particularly difficult obstacles to important production caused by the lack of comparatively small amounts of raw material.
§ Mr. HughesCan the First Lord say if every shipbuilding firm in Aberdeen has applied for a priority certificate, and can he tell me when the last certificates were applied for by the Aberdeen firms?
§ Mr. ThomasBetween the dates of 24th July and 11th October. The latest date was 11th October.