§ 54. Mr. Willeyasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that the shipbuilding figures show that for the 12 months ended March, 1953, the United Kingdom commenced 24 per cent., launched 27 per cent., and completed 29 per cent. of the world total compared with 34 per cent., 37 per cent., and 36 per cent., respectively, for the corresponding period ended March, 1952, he will institute an inquiry to determine what factors have caused this decline.
§ Mr. J. P. L. ThomasI do not think there is any doubt about the main factors which have led to the decline in the United Kingdom's share of world shipbuilding. They are the rehabilitation and expansion of shipyard capacity abroad, and also the restriction of U.K. shipyard activity imposed by the steel plate shortage. I do not therefore consider that a special enquiry is necessary at present.
§ 55. Mr. Willeyasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what factors have caused the fall of 85,000 tons gross in the amount of shipbuilding commenced in the first quarter of this year compared with the immediately preceding quarter and the fall of 20,000 tons gross compared with the corresponding quarter last year.
§ Mr. J. P. L. ThomasThere are bound to be fluctuations in the amount of new tonnage started in each quarter. The figure for the first quarter of this year, though below the corresponding figures for the first and fourth quarters of 1952,26W is slightly higher than the average quarterly figure for 1952. The present shortage of steel plate affects all these figures.
§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many orders for inshore minesweepers and other vessels the United States Bureau of Ships have placed with his Department during the last 12 months; what is the tonnage and value of these vessels; what tonnage and value of these ships have been allotted to Scottish shipyards; to which shipyards they have been allotted; and how many are completed and uncompleted, respectively.
§ Mr. J. P. L. ThomasOnly one such order has so far been placed with the Admiralty by the United States Bureau of Ships and that was for a number of inshore minesweepers. As already announced, the value of this contract will be in the region of 11 million dollars. The vessels are to be delivered to member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation on completion and they will be selected from those already on order in the United Kingdom. The selection has not yet been made, and I am therefore unable to say how many of the vessels will be built in Scottish shipyards. None is yet completed.