§ 28. Viscount CURZONasked the Prime Minister, whether any statement can now be made as to the future of Pembroke Dockyard?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY of the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)I have been asked to reply to this question. The Admiralty have received an offer from a firm of shipbuilders to lease the Royal Dockyard at Pembroke for a term of years. The question is now receiving the attention of the Board, and it is not possible at present to say whether or not the offer will be accepted.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIn the event of the dockyard being sold to what purposes will it be put?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIt is a question of leasing the yard to a private firm of shipbuilders for the construction and repair of merchant shipping.
§ Sir EVAN JONESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Pembroke Dockyard is the only Government dockyard on the western coast of Great Britain.
§ Dr. MACNAMARAYes, that is so.
§ Sir E. JONESAnd is the right hon. Gentleman aware that joint meetings have been held at Pembroke Dockyard, representing all interests—the Pembroke Town Council, Pembroke Chamber of Trade, and the Federation of Engineers— and have come to a unanimous agreement on this question—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member should give notice of that question.