§ 22. Mr. HARRISONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the established men from Rosyth and Pembroke dockyards, respectively, are to be transferred to the southern dockyards; if so, to what dockyards; and to what extent will the hired men in those dockyards be affected by this transference?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANSubject to certain reservations, regarding men approaching retiring age, etc., the established men will be transferred to the southern dockyards. The transfer of the established men will involve the discharge of some hired men at the southern yards.
§ Major HORE-BELISHAIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is already considerable overcrowding in Devonport? Will the Admiralty assist to build more houses, and what subvention do they propose to make to those men who are discharged?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI must have notice of a question of that kind. I am aware that there is a housing difficulty, and some of it will be met by giving separation allowances to those who have to leave their families in their own homes.
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANIt all depends on what accommodation can be found.
§ Major Sir GRANVILLE WHELERIs it not possible then for men who have originally gone from southern dockyards to Rosyth to return to their own dockyards as far as possible?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANYes, we shall try to make every arrangement possible to suit them. I think it can be carried out.
§ Mr. STEPHENCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us the estimated cost of the exchange of these men to these other dockyard towns?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI cannot tell it offhand. As has already been said, the cost of the change will be so much that the economy in the present year will be very small.
§ Major HORE-BELISHAWill the right hon. Gentleman consider, in view of the grave housing position, the building of steel houses in the dockyard in order to accommodate these men?
§ 52. Dr. DRUMMOND SHIELSasked the Prime Minister the intentions of the Government in regard to the compensation of the Dunfermline Town Council and other Fife local authorities in connection with the closing of Rosyth Dockyard; and whether any alternative scheme for the prevention of local unemployment and for the occupation of the housing company's houses is being considered?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Ronald McNeill)I am not in a position at present to make any statement with regard to the first part of the question. With regard to the second part, every effort will be made to minimise any difficulties that may arise, either in the matter of unemployment or of housing as the result of the policy decided on at Rosyth.
§ Dr. SHIELSMay I ask if the compensation will be decided on by independent arbitration?
§ Mr. McNEILLI cannot make any statement on that point.
§ 56. Major HORE-BELISHAasked the Prime Minister whether he will make a further statement on the decision of the Government relative to the proposed reduction of Rosyth and Pembroke Dockyards; and whether he will undertake that there will be no influx of personnel from these condemned yards into Devonport?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI have been asked to reply. I am afraid the undertaking asked for cannot be given, as there must necessarily be a certain number of men when the Admiralty will be under the obligation of transferring to southern yards.
§ Major HORE-BELISHAWill the right hon. Gentleman undertake in some way or other to provide proper housing accommodation before he sends these men there?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI have already stated that those who cannot find housing accommodation will be given separation, allowances for their family. Of 356 course, any way of accelerating the building of new houses that can be devised will receive any support that the Admiralty can give it.
§ Sir B. FALLEDo the southern dockyards include Malta?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANNo, they are the southern English yards.
Viscountess ASTORWill the Admiralty consult with the authorities at Plymouth and see what can be done as far as the housing question there is concerned?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANYes, we are already doing that, and have been for some time.
§ Sir ARTHUR SHIRLEY BENNMay I ask whether, if men are being sent from Rosyth to Plymouth, the right hon. Gentleman will take care to see that men who were originally sent from Devonport to Rosyth during the War are given preference in returning there?