HC Deb 09 April 1952 vol 498 cc236-7W
81. Mr. Ewart

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the cuts in steel allocation to the shipbuilding and ship-repairing industries are to be restored; and what prospects there are of increased allocations in the near future, having regard to the heavy programme of these industries.

Mr. Digby

My right hon. Friend is unable to forecast when it will be possible to increase the allocation of steel for shipbuilding and ship-repairing since this is dependent on the overall steel supplies available; it is hoped, however, that there will be some improvement later this year.

83. Mr. F. Willey

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the gross tonnage of merchant shipbuilding completed in the months of January, February and March and the corresponding figures for January, February and March, 1951, respectively.

Mr. Digby

The gross tonnage of merchant ships of 100 gross tons and over completed in January and February of this year and in January, February and March, 1951, was:

January, 1952 39,081 g.t.
February, 1952 71,114 g.t.
January, 1951 88,781 g.t.
February, 1951 87,846 g.t.
March, 1951 108,687 g.t.

The figure for March, 1952, will be available about the middle of this month, and I will arrange for it to be forwarded to the hon. Member.