§ Mr. EGANasked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the hesitation shown by some authorities to take advantage of his proposals, he will extend his offer of financial assistance to shipbuilders and shipowners, with a view to improving export facilities and relieving the abnormal unemployment in the shipyards?
Mr. THOMASIf I am correct in assuming that my hon. Friend is referring2446W to the statements which I have made as to the attitude of the City towards the reorganisation of industry, I would remind him that these proposals are not limited to particular industries, and the question of extending their scope does not, therefore, arise. My hon. Friend is no doubt aware that the difficulties of the industry to which he refers arise largely from the insufficiency of the present volume of trade to occupy existing tonnage. In the circumstances, any artificial stimulation of the construction of additional tonnage would, I am satisfied, do more harm than good.