Shipbuilding Industry (Hansard, 14 July 1966)

§ 27. Mr. McMaster
asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress he has made in implementing the recommendations of the Geddes Committee's inquiry into the British shipbuilding industry; and if he will make a statement.

§ 37. Mr. Moyle
asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent Her Majesty's Government has now decided to implement the recommendations of the Geddes Report on the Shipbuilding Industry.

§ Mr. Mason
My right hon. Friend hopes to make a statement before the Recess.

§ Mr. McMaster
Why did the Government rush the preparation of this Report and its presentation in March this year if they were going to sit on it for so long? Are the Government aware of the urgent need for the expenditure of money in our shipbuilding yards in order to provide such things as building docks, which are available in Japan and to our competitors elsewhere? Will he expedite this matter?

§ Mr. Mason
We are keeping exactly to the time table laid down by the Geddes Committee.

§ Mr. Rankin
Would my right hon. Friend note how well Fairfield's is proceeding under a form of public ownership?

§ Mr. Mason
Yes, Sir.

§ Mr. Moyle
Will the hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that any arrangement he enters into will not be of such a nature that the public taxpayers pay all the bills and the private shareholders get all the profits?

§ Mr. Mason
Certainly, Sir.