§ 52. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will make a further statement on the possibility of shipyards playing a part in industrialised building.
§ Mr. RipponOn 2nd January I announced the appointment of a team of technical experts to carry out a rapid inquiry into whether spare capacity in shipyards can be devoted to the manufacture of the components or systems of construction needed for housing and other types of building. The inquiry is now in progress and the team is visiting some selected shipyards although the team's findings will, of course, apply to the shipbuilding industry generally. I expect to receive its report at the end of February.
§ Commander Purseyasked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will send the four-man team, which has visited the Tyne and Clyde shipyards, to the Humber ship-repair yards, to investigate the possibility of producing building products in these yards.
§ Mr. RipponNo. The inquiry is at present in progress and the yards being visited have been carefully selected in consultation with the industry, as a representative cross-section of the shipbuilding industry.
As was stated in announcing the appointment of the Team, this is a feasibility study on a technical basis, and whatever conclusions I may reach when I see the final report at the end of February will, therefore, apply to the shipbuilding industry generally.