§ Sir R. ASKEasked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the increasing number of shipbuilding and ship-repairing contracts which are being placed from this country with Continental yards; whether he will recommend the appointment of a Committee to inquire into the causes of this; and whether he has under consideration any proposals for providing work for those normally employed in the shipbuilding trade who have for a long period been unemployed?
§ Mr. SHAWMy attention has been drawn to certain cases in which shipbuilding or ship-repairing contracts have gone to Continental yards, but the available information does not appear to indicate that the industry in this country is losing ground relatively to other countries. I would point out for example that of the total tonnage of merchant shipping launched in this year up to the' end of September, 67 per cent. was launched in this country, as compared with 60 per cent. for the ten years 1904–13, 42 per cent. in 1922, and 39 per cent. in 1923. The figures for unemployment in the industry, though still578W unfortunately very high, have fallen substantially since last year, being 27.2 per cent. at the end of August last as compared with 45.8 per cent. at the end of August, 1923. In these circumstances I do not think a Committee of Inquiry would serve any useful purpose, but the matter is one which I am watching carefully, in conjunction with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.