§ 73. Mr. SIMMasked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been drawn to the report that, in the event of the dispute in the shipbuilding industry leading to a stoppage, certain vessels now being overhauled in the Tyne will be removed to foreign yards; and if he is taking immediate steps to endeavour to pre- 2426 vent such removal, especially in view of the fact that unemployment heavily afflicts the district concerned?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Dr. Macnamara)I have not seen the report report referred to, but in any case I am afraid that I have no power to compel repairs to be carried out in British ports. This appears to me to be a matter which must be settled by discussion between all the interests concerned.