HC Deb 28 April 1936 vol 311 cc743-4W
Mr. DENVILLE

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give information as to the orders placed during the last three months with Continental manufacturers for large quantities of rivets to be used in the construction of a number of vessels building or about to be built for British owners under the Government scrap-and-build scheme; if he is aware that two of the seven rivet works on the North-East Coast are closed down; and will he take action to prevent this state of affairs?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

With regard to the first part of the question, I have no official information. As regards the second and third parts, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, North (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle) on 23rd April.

Mr. DENVILLE

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he will provide that in future all ships laid down under the scrap-and-build scheme must be built wholly of British materials by British workmen in British works; (2) whether he will insist that the specifications for ships enjoying benefits from the scrap-and-build scheme will require in future the use of only British material and British craftsmanship?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, North (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle) on 23rd April.

Mr. L. SMITH

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the use of public money to finance the scrap-and-build scheme, he will consider making amendments to it to provide that all ships laid down thereunder must be built wholly of British materials by British workmen in British works; whether he will state what will be the added difference in price if British rivets are used in the construction of a 9,000-ton ship; and whether he will give any reasons why restrictive conditions on the importation of foreign rivets would tend to defeat the objects of this scheme?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, North (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle) on 23rd April. I have no official information with regard to the second part. As regards the third part, I can see no justification for treating rivets differently from other materials used in building ships.