Structural Steel

HC Deb 07 March 1956 vol 549 c2085

10. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware of the difficulties of providing structural steel of the requisite notch toughness for welded ship construction; that the relevant problems were discussed at a conference of classification societies in Paris last April and at a further conference in Zurich last September; that these problems affect ship builders, ship owners and steel makers throughout the world; that it is desirable to achieve substantial international agreement on requirements for shipbuilding steels suitable for modern conditions; and what steps he has taken and intends to take to achieve such international agreement.

Mr. Wingfield Digby

Yes, Sir, but this problem is not confined to shipbuilding and affects all users of structural steel. Much research is going on in many countries, but much still remains to be done before the phenomena of the brittle fracture are fully understood.

A prominent part is taken in all these investigations by the Admiralty Advisory Committee on Structural Steels, which includes in its membership shipbuilders and other users of structural steels, as well as steel makers and scientists.

The results of research are freely interchanged and discussed internationally. and it is anticipated that international agreement will eventually be reached.

Mr. Hector Hughes

Whilst thanking the Minister for that comprehensive reply, may I ask if he is aware of the very real problem arising from the fact that, owing to the high price of scrap, many ships are being scrapped but are not being replaced owing to the high price and the bad allocation of steel? Will he attend to that aspect of the matter in the interests of our maritime trade?

Mr. Digby

I am aware of the steel position in the shipbuilding industry, but that is a somewhat different problem. My noble Friend has been in consultation with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on this subject.

Mr. Hobson

Will the hon. Gentleman kindly define "notch toughness"? It is humbug.