§ 13. Mr. Frederick Willeyasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will now make a further statement about the allocation of steel to the shipbuilding and ship-repairing industry.
§ Mr. J. P. L. ThomasI would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on 11th February in reply to a Question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Wells (Lieut.-Commander Maydon) to which I have nothing to add.
§ Mr. WilleyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that his reply will be disappointing to the industry, as they expect more than this; that the apprehension I have expressed in the past is now shared by the industry generally, that there are still complaints about the out-of-sequence supplies, and that the industry really must be put into a position in which it can compete effectively?
§ Mr. ThomasAll I can say is, as I said in February, that the allocation for the second quarter of the year was 6 per cent. higher than the previous allocation, and the steel for ship repairs will, of course, be a first charge on it.
§ Mrs. BraddockIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the ship repairing industry as a whole is very anxious for something to be done following the recommendations of the Government working party with reference to ship-repairing; and can he give us any further information about what is to be done in regard to those recommendations?
§ Mr. ThomasThat is a different question. I should be grateful if the hon. Lady would put it down, and I should be very glad to answer it.
Miss WardCan my right hon. Friend deal with the point about the allegations regarding lack of sequence of supplies? This is very important to shipbuilding and ship-repairing, and an answer which we could all see would be welcome.
§ Mr. ThomasThat question is one for the Ministry of Supply. I will bear in mind what my hon. Friend says about sequence and will bring it to the notice of the Minister of Supply.
Miss WardIf it was possible yesterday to transfer to the Prime Minister a Question which had been addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, cannot my right hon. Friend transfer the question which I am asking him?
§ Mr. SpeakerI am afraid that is not possible.
§ Mr. ManuelIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, owing to steel being in short supply, last year's output from our shipbuilding yards was very much less than it ought to have been? Will he also remember that the full employment policy in the shipbuilding areas is decided by the amount of steel that he allocates to the industry?
§ Mr. ThomasI assure the hon. Member that we are well aware of those two points. That is why we are very anxious to help in this direction as soon as possible. I repeat that the steel for ship repairs is a first charge on the supplies coming in.