HC Deb 16 July 1958 vol 591 cc1213-4
5. Mr. Willey

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty on how many occasions the Shipbuilding Advisory Committee has met this year, and what matters it has under consideration.

Mr. T. G. D. Galbraith

Twice, Sir. As stated by my predecessor on 9th May, 1956, this Committee keeps under constant review statistics about production and manpower in United Kingdom shipyards. It also considers particular questions as they arise, such as steel supplies, foreign competition and the volume of overseas orders.

Mr. Willey

In view of the present state of shipbuilding, would the hon. Gentleman encourage the Committee, which gives very valuable advice, to meet more frequently, and also to bring within its consideration the present long-term prospects of the shipbuilding industry and the changing needs of the industry in the light of international competition?

Mr. Galbraith

I think that the Committee probably meets at sufficiently frequent intervals, which is about once every three months.

Mr. Hale

How is it possible to keep a thing under constant review if a Committee meets once every three months? On this assumption, the Committee could meet once every five years. If one keeps a thing under constant review without ever arriving at a decision, what is the use of having the Committee at all?

Mr. Galbraith

The object of the Committee is to advise the Government, which it does, on various matters which are brought to its notice from time to time.

Mr. Willey

Would the hon. Gentleman consider publishing the views of the Committee, which would be invaluable to the industry?

Mr. Galbraith

I am afraid that that would not be possible. The matters that the Committee considers are mainly confidential, as are its reports to the Government. For that reason, I am afraid that they could not be published.