§ 38. Mr. Brewisasked the Secretary of State for War what consultations his Department had with the British Iron and Steel Corporation before deciding that Mr. H. G. Pounds was the most suitable purchaser to start a ship-breaking industry at Cairnryan Port, Wigtownshire.
§ Mr. RamsdenNone, Sir.
§ Mr. BrewisWould not my hon. Friend agree that the British Iron and Steel Corporation virtually controls that great industry? Is he aware that if he had consulted the Corporation it would have told him that this person was most unlikely to establish a successful ship-breaking venture at Cairnryan Port and has in fact not done so?
§ Mr. RamsdenThe sale was not conditional on the purchaser using the port for shipbreaking or in any particular way. Quite apart from the difficulties such a condition would have added to the selling the property at all, I am advised that it could not have been effectively enforced in law.