46. Air Commodore Harveyasked the Prime Minister if he will set up a committee to deal with the production of large tankers in this country, at the same time covering investment and construction of new shipbuilding yards.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Macmillan)I have nothing to add to the reply I gave on 14th February to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Horncastle (Commander Maitland).
Air Commodore HarveyWould the Prime Minister bear in mind that many single efforts have been made by individuals and companies to deal with this important problem, and will he at any rate give an assurance to the House that the Government will try to co-ordinate these efforts so that we can be assured that speedy delivery will be made of these large tankers?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. We are trying to make a co-ordinated approach to the whole of this problem which involves tankers and other methods of expediting the supply of oil.
§ Mr. WilleyIn view of the fact that this is not the only problem facing the shipbuilding industry, and in view of its great opportunities at the present moment, would the Prime Minister look at this matter again and consider whether it would not be advisable to set up a committee to consider generally the immediate prospects of the shipbuilding industry?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not know about setting up a committee. What I said was that I hoped that we should be able to deal with the problem.