§ 66. Mr. P. Williamsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware of the continuing shortage of steel deliveries to the shipyards, which is hampering production; and what further action he proposes to take to remedy this situation.
§ 69. Mr. Willeyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will make a statement on the present position regarding steel supplies to the shipbuilding industry.
§ 70. Mr. Benceasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what steps he proposes to take to increase the supply of steel to the shipbuilding and repairing industry, and to ensure delivery in correct sequence.
§ 76. Mr. Elwyn Jonesasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what further steps are being taken to make good the inadequacy of the supply of steel to the shipbuilding industry.
§ 77. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what further action he is taking to ensure better 44W supplies of steel to British shipyards so as to increase the launch output and improve delivery dates.
§ Mr. T. G. D. GalbraithMy right hon. and noble Friend's predecessor recently discussed the problem in detail with the shipyard industries and subsequently arranged for them to meet my right hon. Friend the then President of the Board of Trade and his advisers. Discussions initiated at these meetings are still proceeding.
I agree that the rate of production would be improved by better supplies of steel.
It is recognised that the delivery of steel in incorrect sequence is inconvenient and can hamper output, and the attention of the steel industry has been drawn to this problem on more than one occasion. There are however, considerable practical difficulties in eliminating it altogether.