§ 1. Mr. Frederick Willeyasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is yet in a position to make a statement about the allocation of steel to the shipbuilding and ship-repairing industry for the next quarter.
§ The First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. J. P. L. Thomas)The allocation of steel for the shipbuilding and ship-repairing industries for period II is approximately at the same level as for period I.
§ Mr. WilleyWill the right hon. Gentleman do what he can to assist this industry, because there is some apprehension in shipping circles about the future trend of freight rates, and this may seriously affect the industry?
§ Mr. ThomasI can assure the hon. Gentleman that I realise the difficulties and, as I told him a fortnight ago, I am doing all I possibly can to help.
§ Lady TweedsmuirCan my right hon. Friend say whether the arrival of American supplies will soon result in an increase in the steel allocation?
§ Mr. ThomasI cannot give a definite answer on that point. I hope it will be better, but I cannot make a definite statement now.