§ 34. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will call for an interim report from the Geddes Committee, in view of the serious position in the shipbuilding industry, following the closure of Fairfields and losses sustained by other large firms, despite full order books.
§ Mr. Wingfield DigbyIs the hon. Gentleman aware that a loan at 6 per cent., too late, to Fairfields is not a policy for shipbuilding? Is there to be no policy for shipbuilding until the Geddes Report has been received, considered and legislated upon?
§ Mr. MasonI do not see any reason why there should be an interim report from the Geddes Committee. This would obviously delay publication of the final Report.
§ Mr. RankinOn a point of Order. Mr. Speaker, is it in order to make a false statement in a Question? Question No. 34 refers to "the closure of Fair-fields". That statement is untrue.
§ SpeakerThe hon. Member who tables the Question is responsible for any statement in it. I am not prepared to rule on the truth or falsity of it.