HC Deb 19 April 1961 vol 638 cc1152-3
4. Mr. P. Williams

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now make a statement about the future of the shipbuilding industry.

Mr. Marples

The Report is being published today of the Sub-Committee of the Shipbuilding Advisory Committee which was set up to review the prospects of, and the problems facing, the shipbuilding and ship-repairing industry. Most of its recommendations are addressed to the industry and I hope that they will be followed up energetically. Three of the recommendations are for the Government. The new export credit facilities which my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade announced last week have already met one of these. I am giving consideration to the other two, relating to possible scrapping schemes and orders for Government-owned snips.

Mr. Williams

Can my right hon. Friend say exactly when the Report will be published? Is it to be today? Can he also say if there will be an opportunity of debating the matters which will obviously arise, which may be of considerable importance to the shipbuilding areas?

Mr. Marples

The Report will be available in the Vote Office at the end of Questions. The question of a debate is one for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and Leader of the House.

Mr. Willey

Will the Minister assure us that he will give an early reply to the two points outstanding and affecting the Government? May I also join with the hon. Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. P. Williams) in pressing the Minister to see his right hon. Friend about the advisability of having an early debate?

Mr. Marples

The question of a debate should be raised on Thursday with my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House. Out of three recommendations which, it is said, the Government should adopt, as we have already adopted one before the Report is published, that shows how quickly we shall proceed.

Dame Irene Ward

Will my right hon. Friend recommend a debate?