§ 27. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Labour what effect the shortage of shipping resulting from the hold-up in the Suez Canal is having on employment in the motor car industry; and what are the prospects in this respect for the immediate future.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodIt is not possible to estimate what effect shipping difficulties are now having, or may have in the immediate future, on employment in the motor car industry.
§ Mr. DoddsIs the Minister aware that there are many motor car workers in my constituency, and that many of them have been informed that there is a hold-up of exports owing to a shortage of shipping? Are any special steps being taken to get some of the laid-up shipping of America for this purpose?
§ Mr. MacleodAs I said in one of my earlier answers, it is difficult to isolate particular causes for any dislocation in industry. All the information I have is that there is very little hold-up here and that the lack of shipping, although a factor, is a secondary one in short-time working.