HC Deb 23 March 1953 vol 513 cc470-2
24. Miss Ward

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction of shipbuilders and ship-repairers over the fluctuations in steel deliveries; and what steps he is taking to ensure regular sequence in delivery."

Mr. Sandys

The quantity of steel delivered to the shipbuilding industry during the past year has been very nearly equal to the total quantity allocated to it. There has, however, been a shortage of steel plate, which has often made it difficult for firms to obtain regular deliveries of plate in the sizes and at the dates required.

Consultative committees have been set up by the steel and shipbuilding industries to tackle difficulties of this kind. But the problem can only be fully solved by a substantial increase in overall supplies. Strenuous efforts have been made to step up the output of steel plate. The rate of production is now 15 per cent. higher than in 1950, and I am hopeful that it will be possible very shortly to increase somewhat the supplies of plate to the shipbuilding industry.

Miss Ward

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that encouraging reply, may I ask whether he will continue to bear in mind the great importance of keeping both capital and labour fully informed of what is going on and how the increased production is progressing?

Mr. Sandys

Most certainly.

Mr. Willey

I appreciate the steps which the right hon. Gentleman is taking, but is he aware that on a single day last week four of the leading Wear shipbuilders complained at the way in which the steel is being delivered? Will the Minister deal with this as an urgent problem and see whether he can improve the sequence of deliveries to meet the needs of the shipbuilders?

Mr. Sandys

A Question by the hon. Member on that point appears a little later on the Order Paper.

Mr. Brooman-White

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the situation in Scotland in this respect is still particularly difficult?

Mr. Sandys

Yes. We have that very much in mind.

Mr. Lee

Is the Minister aware that the answer he has just given would form an excellent prologue to a speech demanding the nationalisation of the steel industry?

26. Mr. Willey

asked the Minister of Supply what steps he proposes to take to improve the supplies of steel to the Wear shipyards where workers are being declared redundant on account of steel shortages.

Mr. Sandys

The hon. Member has been good enough to inform me that his Question relates to the position at Messrs. Short Bros., who, it seems, are having exceptional difficulties in obtaining current supplies of steel plate and in placing their orders for delivery in the months ahead. This case is being dealt with by the steel industry through the normal machinery which exists for this purpose, and I understand that steps are being taken to assist Short Bros, in obtaining the plate they require.

Mr. Willey

While thanking the Minister for the interest he has shown and the steps he has taken, may I ask whether he realises that the declaration by Short Bros, that no keel is to be laid down in the berth vacated last week is a very real shock to shipbuilding generally on Wear-side?

Mr. Sandys

I explained in my reply that this firm, for reasons which are not quite clear to me, have met abnormal difficulties in obtaining their steel. I understand that to some extent they have not fully used the machinery which exists for dealing with bottlenecks of this kind, but I hope that the action now being taken by the steel industry will considerably relieve their difficulties.

Mr. Willey

In view of what he has just said, could the Minister improve the means of informing shipbuilders of the steps that they ought to take to put their houses in order? These widespread complaints have been publicised in the Press, and if the shipbuilders could take any further steps to help themselves, I am sure that they would do so.

Mr. Sandys

There is no magic about this. As I explained in reply to an earlier Question, there is an overall shortage of steel plate. Production is being increased, but it will still be quite a long time before we have as much as we need. All I was saying was that in this particular case I did not think that the firm had availed themselves as fully as they might have done of the machinery which exists for overcoming local difficulties of this kind.