§ 21. Mr. Frederick Willeyasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the cost of recommissioning and reopening the Shipbuilding Corporation's yard at Southwick, Sunderland.
Mr. AlexanderThe reopening and re-equipment of the Southwick Yard were arranged and paid for by the Shipbuilding Corporation. I understand that the cost was in the neighbourhood of £350,000.
22. Mr. F. Willey askedthe First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Ship building Corporation's yard at Southwick, Sunderland, is to be closed down and dismantled.
Mr. AlexanderSo far as the Admiralty is concerned, no final conclusion has yet been reached in this matter.
§ 23. Mr. F. Willeyasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is satisfied with the standard of the labour employed in the Shipbuilding Corporation's yard at Southwick, Sunderland; and how it com pares with normal shipyard standards.
Mr. AlexanderOne of the reasons why the Admiralty requested the Ship-building Industry to re-open this yard was to absorb labour available in the neighbourhood. Key personnel and experienced skilled labour were provided from the permanent well established yards in the 388 vicinity, but it was desirable that those yards should not be unduly weakened. Consequently, Southwick has never reached their level of production, but in the circumstances I have no reason to complain of the standard of labour at this yard.