§ 25. Mr. Gallacherasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he has considered the resolution, forwarded by the hon. Member for West Fife, from the Dunfermline branch of the National Federation of Retail Newsagents, Booksellers and Stationers, deploring the lack of a definite pronouncement on the future of Rosyth Dockyard, and the fact that this is leading to a steady decrease in the number of employees in the dockyard; and whether he has any statement to make.
Mr. DugdaleI have considered the resolution, but I regret that I am not yet in a position to add anything to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 20th March last.
§ Mr. GallacherIs it not possible to get an approximate date when we might get something definite on this question, as we have had deputations down at the Admiralty for going on for two years trying to get a decision in regard to Rosyth? Will not the hon. Gentleman try to give us an approximate date when we may have the decision?
Mr. DugdaleI fully realise the difficulties of the situation and the position in which the people of Rosyth are placed, but I must ask for some time in which not only this question, but also allied questions, can be considered, because this cannot be considered purely in vacuo.
§ Mr. GallacherWill the hon. Gentleman give us a guarantee that Rosyth will be kept going, and then we would not care how long he takes?
§ Major BruceWill the hon. Gentleman say whether or not similar conditions apply to all the Royal Dockyards, and whether they are awaiting a statement in regard to the policy to be pursued concerning them?
§ Mr. Henderson StewartIs the hon. Gentleman aware that, in this matter, if not in others, the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher) represents the unanimous view of the East of Scotland?