§ 34. Mr. P. Williamsasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the problems facing both the shipping and shipbuilding industries; and what action he proposes to take to help overcome these difficulties.
§ 49. Mr. Fernyhoughasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the growing anxiety amongst shipbuilding and ship-repairing workers about their future employment prospects; and what steps he proposes to take to maintain full employment in the shipyards.
§ 60. Mr. Rankinasked the Minister of Transport what plans he has to safeguard the future of the shipbuilding and ship-repairing industry.
§ Mr. MarplesI am aware that the shipping, shipbuilding and ship-repairing industries are facing many difficult problems, and I intend to study them in detail. I have already met the Shipbuilding Advisory Committee, which represents both sides of the shipbuilding and ship-repairing industries, and I asked them for their views and recommendations. In the broadest sense, however, the future of all these industries depends on the expansion of world trade. The Government will continue to do everything in its power to encourage such expansion.