HC Deb 30 July 1952 vol 504 cc1469-71
23. Mr. F. Willey

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what action he is taking, in view of the necessity for increasing exports, to assist the shipbuilding industry to complete its export orders more speedily.

Mr. J. P. L. Thomas

As indicated in the White Paper "Economic Survey for 1947" (Command No. 7046) the shipbuilding industry—whether building for foreign or United Kingdom owners—is recognised to be of just the same importance, as an earner of foreign exchange, as an industry producing entirely for export. Merchant ships building for foreign owners are not, therefore, given preference over those building for United Kingdom owners.

Mr. Willey

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that today we have 24 more berths unoccupied than nine months ago and, unless the Government do something about it, it is making nonsense about the statements of giving priority to export?

Mr. Thomas

I think that is a different question. The details given to me are different from the information which the hon. Gentleman has.

Mr. Willey

The details I have given are given in this week's "Lloyds List."

Mr. Thomas

The hon. Gentleman should not be misled by "Lloyds List." It is somewhat different to the figures given by the Admiralty. The Admiralty deal with keels laid down and "Lloyds List" deal with the stage when work on prefabricated sections begins. They are not really comparable.

Air Commodore Harvey

Will my right hon. Friend agree that if this situation had been taken care of 15 months ago by the previous Administration these berths would now be filled? It is their responsibility.

Mr. Hoy

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that unemployment in the shipbuilding yards in the east of Scotland is certainly worsening every week, and that only last week a further 50 shipbuilding workers were discharged from the shipbuilding yard of Henry Robb, Leith? What steps is he taking to increase the allocation of steel to maintain these people in employment?

Mr. Thomas

That is another question. There are other Questions on the Order Paper dealing with that matter.