§ 10. Mr. Solleyasked the Minister of Transport how many British ships have been sent to foreign ports for repairs in the last six months.
§ Mr. BarnesEight tankers, one passenger ship and eight other ships have been sent abroad for repair or reconditioning in the last six months.
§ Mr. SolleyIs my right hon. Friend aware that ship repairers in Tilbury Docks have been given redundancy notices and 805 that three out of four of the ship repairing firms there are doing practically nothing? In the light of that information, will he consult with the First Lord of the Admiralty—to whom I have addressed a Question on this matter which is due for answering on Wednesday—to see what can be done to prevent British ships going to foreign ports to be repaired when our own people are out of work?
§ Mr. BarnesThe hon. Gentleman said he was putting a Question to the First Lord of the Admiralty on Wednesday; I think it would be wiser to await the answer to that Question.
§ Captain MarsdenCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the fact that these ships have been sent abroad means that there is no room in the British ship repairing yards or that it is cheaper for this work to be done abroad, or perhaps both?
§ Mr. BarnesThe repairing facilities in British shipyards have been fully occupied. The question involved is largely a matter for the First Lord of the Admiralty on Wednesday.