Mr. F. Wileyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how the allocation of steel to the shipbuilding industry compares with the allocation made for the corresponding quarter last year; and what allocations will be made for the remaining quarters of this year.
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§ Mr. W. EdwardsThe total tonnage of steel allocated to the shipyards for the first quarter of 1949 represents an increase of a little over 5 per cent. on the allocation for the first quarter of 1948, but if account is taken of changes in the basis of steel allocations in the intervening period, the increase is nearly 10 per cent. The total allocation for the second quarter of 1949 shows a reduction of just under 3 per cent. on that for the first quarter. No steel allocations for the remaining quarters of 1949 have yet been made. Shipyard steel allocations cover merchant ship repairs and maintenance as well as new construction.