§ 13. Mr. Willeyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the estimated supply of steel to British shipyards in 1957.
§ Mr. T. G. D. GalbraithI cannot forecast what quantities of steel the steel makers may supply to shipyards during this year. As I said in the Adjournment debate on 13th March, the shipyards could absorb 75,000 to 100,000 tons of steel more than they received in 1956. The Iron and Steel Board knows of this requirement, and I have confidence in its expectation that it will be met.
§ Mr. WilleyIs the Civil Lord aware that we all earnestly hope that there will be an early resumption of work in the yards by giving a square deal to the men?
§ Mr. Ellis SmithThat means an increase in wages.
§ Mr. WilleyMeanwhile, will the hon. Gentleman continue to take all possible steps to see that when work is resumed there is no hold-up and output is speeded up so that we can compete with foreign yards?
§ 14. Mr. Willeyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will now make a statement on the discussions regarding steel supplies to the shipbuilding industry.
§ Mr. T. G. D. GalbraithI would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given on 6th March to a Question by the hon. Member for Sunderland. South (Mr. P. Williams)
§ Mr. WilleyIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this is not satisfactory? We really should get a result from these discussions, which are about as bad as those with the employers in the industry.
§ Mr. GalbraithI cannot agree with that. As a result of the discussions which have taken place, the amount of steel going to the yards has show a continuous improvement.
§ Mr. WilleyIs the hon. Gentleman aware that we are also anxious to get some real assurance about sequence of supplies? It is the sequence which is causing a good deal of the trouble.
§ Mr. GalbraithAs I have pointed out to the hon. Member more than once, the sequence of the supplies will improve as the supplies themselves improve.