§ 73. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that there is a grave shortage of steel available for use in the shipbuilding and shiprepairing yards in Aberdeen; that this is causing a diminution in production and an increase in unemployment there; and will he take steps to increase the supply of steel there immediately.
§ Mr. W. EdwardsI am aware that the shipbuilders in Aberdeen in common with those in the rut of the United Kingdom are unable to secure authorisations for all the steel they desire. Shortage of steel must result in some fall in production and possibly in employment, but I have no evidence that these effects are more marked in Aberdeen than in other parts of the country. I regret that it is not possible to increase the current allocations made to Aberdeen firms.