HC Deb 22 March 1961 vol 637 cc366-8
20. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Minister of Transport if he has now received the Report of the special sub-committee of the Shipbuilding Advisory Committee set up to investigate the need for Government assistance to British shipyards to enable them to compete on equitable terms with their foreign competitors who are receiving financial assistance from their respective Governments; if he has yet reached a decision on the proposals contained in the Report; and if he will now state in detail his plans to deal with the relevant problems.

64. Mr. McMaster

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the interim Report from the sub-committee of the Shipbuilding Advisory Committee, if he will now state what steps he is taking to help meet the threat of heavy redundancy in British ship-building yards; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Marples

I have nothing to add at present to the Answer I gave on 15th March to my hon. Friend the Member for Tynemouth (Dame Irene Ward) and to the hon. Member for Leicester, North-West (Sir. B. Janner).

Mr. Hughes

Does the Minister realise that he is far too complacent about the state of the industry which vitally affects the economy and the unemployment problem in Britain? Will he consult the Leader of the House with a view to having a day set aside for a debate on this urgent and important problem?

Mr. Marples

Personally I would welcome a debate. I think that it could have taken place yesterday with more advantage to the nation.

Mr. McMaster

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the extreme urgency of this problem in view of the imminent threat of heavy unemployment throughout the shipbuilding industry in this country and particularly in Belfast? Will he do all that he can to expedite the reference to the main Committee in order that its Report may be acted on with speed?

Mr. Marples

I can see that the Report is obtained but whether it is acted on depends to a large extent on the industry itself. As my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. Dudley Williams) pointed out in a supplementary question a few moments ago, the crucial task is how to beat foreign yards in both price and performance. Here the industry itself has an important task. All I can say is that I hope that management and men in this industry, who are now consulting together, will see that the best use is made of modern techniques on both sides of the industry.

Mr. Lee

If the right hon. Gentleman is all that concerned that the House should debate this subject, why does not the Government find time for it? Why should he merely criticise the Opposition and what they do in relation to Supply Days? I am sure that from our point of view we should very much welcome a Government initiative in order that we could debate this industry.

Mr. Marples

The point which I made was that it would have been better if the Opposition had yesterday chosen this subject for debate.

Mr. Hughes

On a point of order——

Mr. Awbery

Is the Minister aware that 300,000 tons of shipping was constructed in yards on the Continent for British shipowners last year? What is he doing about that problem?

Mr. Marples

The point is that foreign yards have been quoting lower prices and early delivery dates. Any assistance which the Government may give to an industry which cannot compete in world markets will be of use only on a temporary basis and never on a permanent basis.

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Cyril Osborne.

Mr. Hughes

On a point of order. I rose earlier to a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the shocking complacency of the Minister I hereby give notice—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. and learned Member departs from the traditional formula and makes a speech. He appeared to me, by sitting down again, to have abandoned his previous point of order, and he is now out of time.

Mr. Hughes

On a point of order. I sat down, Mr. Speaker, because I thought that you called my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, Central (Mr. Awbery). I rise on a point of order, and I hereby give notice, in the time-honoured fashion, that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.