HC Deb 24 January 1967 vol 739 cc1235-8
1. Mr. Wingfield Digby

asked the Minister of Technology what consultation he has had with the Geddes Committee on changes in the outlook for shipbuilding since the Geddes Report was written.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Technology (Mr. Edmund Dell)

None, Sir. The Geddes Committee was disbanded when it completed its Report. My right hon. Friend is, of course, in contact with the Shipbuilding Industry Board through the Chairman.

Mr. Digby

Will the Joint Parliamentary Secretary recognise that there have been some changes and that the prospects of home shippers ordering at home are no better than they were—indeed, are perhaps a little worse—and will he also recognise that the Geddes Report is now not entirely up to date?

Mr. Dell

The main recommendations of the Geddes Report are certainly up to date in respect of, for example, the importance of amalgamations in this industry. As the hon. Gentleman is aware, we will shortly be introducing legislation.

Mr. Shinwell

Is my hon. Friend asserting that the shipbuilders, through the Shipbuilding Conference, have never made any representation to the Ministry or to any other Department—perhaps to the Board of Trade—since the Geddes Report was published?

Mr. Dell

Certainly there have been representations, as my right hon. Friend said last week. Their representations on the subject of home credit facilities are now being considered.

2. Mr. Wingfield Digby

asked the Minister of Technology whether he is aware that British shipbuilding is losing the home market because it is unable to offer credit terms competitive with those available to British owners abroad; and whether he will take immediate steps to extend favourable credit terms to British owners ordering British ships.

4. Mr. McMaster

asked the Minister of Technology if he will take steps to review and bring the recommendations of the Geddes Committee up to date, in view of the rapidly changing and deteriorating situation facing the British shipbuilding industry.

Mr. Dell

My right hon. Friend is well aware of the position, but these current difficulties emphasise the need for the industry to press on with its plans for reorganisation on the lines proposed by the Geddes Committee.

Mr. Digby

Will the hon. Gentleman recognise that the pressure of the Opposition for better credit facilities is very reasonable indeed and that the Treasury is probably again being penny wise and pound foolish in this matter? Will he press his right hon. Friend to stand up to the Treasury in this matter?

Mr. Dell

We are getting ahead with this question of credit facilities for home owners as rapidly as possible. The hon. Gentleman should realise that the lack of credit facilities is not the whole of this problem. The competitiveness of the industry is of very great importance.

Mr. Milne

Is my hon. Friend aware that what is needed is a speeding up of the implementation of the Geddes recommendations, that the industry is waiting for this to happen and that we in the North-East are particularly looking forward to this happening?

Mr. Dell

We have maintained the timetable of the Geddes Committee in every respect and, as I said earlier, legislation will be introduced very shortly.

Dame Irene Ward

Would the hon. Gentleman press his right hon. Friend to exercise pressure on the Leader of the House to implement the pledge, given a long time ago, that we would have a proper debate on the shipbuilding industry? That pledge has never been implemented. Is it not time that the Government kept one pledge, if they cannot keep any others?

Mr. Dell

I am sure that the debate on the Second Reading of the Bill, when it is introduced, will give the hon. Lady an opportunity to speak on this subject.

Mr. Bagier

Would my hon. Friend also press the President of the Board of Trade to try to speed up the machinery of the E.C.G.D. procedure, which is causing serious difficulty to some shipbuilders in obtaining suitable credit terms for export orders?

Mr. Dell

I hope that my hon. Friend will refer to me any particular case he has in mind where slowness on the part of E.C.G.D. is holding up orders.

10. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Minister of Technology what recommendations contained in the Geddes Report have been implemented.

The Minister of Technology (Mr. Anthony Wedgwood Benn)

There is nothing more to report since I answered the Questions by the hon. Members for Dorset, South (Mr. Evelyn King) and Belfast, East (Mr. McMaster) on 17th January last.—[Vol 739, c. 21.]

Mr. Shinwell

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that one of the principal recommendations of the Geddes Report was the need for improved credit facilities for British shipbuilders? Is he aware that that is supported not only by Opposition Members, but by many Members on this side of the House? Is he also aware that far too many orders are going abroad, to the detriment of the British shipbuilding industry?

Mr. Benn

I am very well aware of what my right hon. Friend says. He will, however, be aware that the credit schemes that were included in the Geddes Report were linked to the regrouping. Since the Question refers to the Geddes Report, perhaps I might take the opportunity of reinforcing the need for these shipyards to come together with proposals for the Shipbuilding Industry Board so that we can really strengthen British industry.

Sir Knox Cunningham

Is the Minister aware that unemployment has risen to 8 per cent. in Northern Ireland due to the Westminster Government's economic policy? Which of the Geddes Recommendations will be implemented to help Harland and Wolff, of Belfast?

Mr. Benn

The hon. and learned Member knows that the future of the British shipbuilding industry and the employment that it can give to those who work in shipyards depend upon creating really strong units. It was upon this that the Geddes Report concentrated. This is central in our policy for the shipbuilding industry and I hope that when the Bill shortly comes before the House it will have the support of both sides.

Sir Knox Cunningham

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I give notice that I will raise this matter on an early occasion.

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