§ 5. Sir Ronald Rossasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that in consequence of lack of work at Londonderry naval base, skilled and unskilled workmen are being paid off; and whether, in view of the shortage of labour at British shipyards, he will take steps to provide sufficient work to keep these men fully employed at Londonderry.
§ Mr. AlexanderIt is true that shipyard workmen are being discharged at Londonderry owing to decreasing Admiralty repair work there. This is unavoidable, partly due to the reduction of Naval establishments to a peace-time footing, and also to the fact that the major firm engaged on ship repairs in that port have expressed their intention of ceasing work at Londonderry and re-transferring their workers to Belfast. The facilities at Londonderry are not suitable for major repairs. This limits the amount of repair work which can be assigned to that port. I regret that it will not be possible for the Admiralty to provide further work when the vessels new in hand have been completed.
§ Sir R. RossIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is possible to carry out that work by local firms who have done some contracting work, instead of a firm which is employing its resources at Belfast?
§ Mr. AlexanderI suppose that when the original dock establishment is free it is open to the prewar firms working there to do what work they can there. I shall have a look into it.
§ Sir R. RossIf it is found possible to carry out this work with local firms will the right hon. Gentleman look into it?
§ Mr. AlexanderI will look into it.