30. Mr. Davidsonasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how the production figures and prices of T.L.C.'s at Clyde shipbuilding yards compare with other important shipbuilding areas?
Mr. AlexanderIt would not be in the public interest to give the production figures for these craft. The rate of production is, however, at present slightly faster on the North-East Coast than on the Clyde. Negotiations on the prices of the Clyde-built craft are still in progress, and no indication of comparative costs can be given at this stage.
Mr. DavidsonWill my right hon. Friend note that I did not ask him for production figures. I only asked him how production figures compared with 1535 those of other areas. Is he aware that the negotiations with regard to prices have been going on for a very long time, and will he take immediate action to see that the Clyde shipbuilders—the owners—who victimise men who can reduce the prices and have reduced the prices of T.L.C.'s will be brought to book very quickly indeed?
Mr. AlexanderI am sure my hon. Friend and the Department dealing with this will not engage in any unnecessary delay, but proper costings are necessary before final prices can be fixed.
Mr. DavidsonWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that men who actually proved to the Admiralty that they had reduced the time and cost of these T.L.C.'s by their own initiative have been barred from the Clyde shipyards ever since?