Mr. Edward M. Taylor:

asked the President of the Board of Trade what new plans he has to assist the shipbuilding industry; and if he will make a statement.

I consider that it would be better to await the report of the Shipbuilding Inquiry Committee, which the Government set up last February, before deciding on new plans to assist the shipbuilding industry to become more competitive.

Mr. Taylor:

Quite apart from any plans the Government might be considering—of special assistance to particular yards and so on—does the right hon. Gentleman not appreciate that there is urgent need for assistance of a more general kind? Does he not appreciate that this is an urgent problem which is facing the whole industry?

The shipyards at the moment have, generally speaking, plenty of orders. The problem is not to assist the shipbuilding industry in that respect; the problem is of late launchings and profitless ventures, which are matters for managements and men to do something more positive about.