HC Deb 25 June 1947 vol 439 cc418-20
25. Colonel J. R. H. Hutchison

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when he proposes to make a statement regarding the future of Rosyth dockyard and the project of establishing a graving dock in the Clyde.

The Civil Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. Walter Edwards)

The future of Rosyth Dockyard is still under active consideration, and although I cannot say when a decision will be taken, I hope that it will be at no very distant date. The question of a new graving dock requires detailed examination of a number of different factors and is unlikely to be decided for a considerable time.

Colonel Hutchison

May I ask the Civil Lord whether the Chiefs of Staff have given any decision about the strategic advantages of Rosyth which was so apparent during the two great wars?

Mr. Edwards

The Chiefs of Staff are, of course, taken into consultation on these matters, and everything they have said is being borne in mind.

Mr. Gallacher

Would the Civil Lord arrange for me to have a talk with the Chiefs of Staff, so that I can get them to make up their minds over this question, which has been hanging fire for two years now?

Mr. Edwards

I am afraid I shall have to ask the Chiefs of Staff whether they would consider that.

Commander Galbraith

Does the hon. Gentleman realise the great handicap to recruiting in Scotland and the North-East coast of England as a result of there being no home port in this part of the country?

Mr. Edwards

We have been shown no evidence of that.

Mr. Thornton-Kemsley

Will the hon Gentleman bear in mind that Rosyth is the only docks on the North-East coast and that it provides deep water anchorage for the whole of the Home Fleet in a comparatively safe area?

Mr. Edwards

We are, of course, fully aware of that.

Mr. Kirkwood

When will the Admiralty make up their minds that we are to have this graving dock on the Clyde, where we have built the finest ships which have sailed the Seven Seas, including the "Queen Mary," the "Queen Elizabeth" and the "Vanguard." Is the Civil Lord aware that these ships are going down to Southampton in order to be equipped, when they could come back to the Clyde to be finished? We have been pushed off for years; surely, it is time for them to decide? I would like to know when they are coming to a decision?

Mr. Edwards

I think the answer to that supplementary question is given in the second paragraph of my original reply. My hon. Friend will find that we are examining the matter, but it must take some time before a decision can be reached.

Mr. Kirkwood

The Admiralty have been examining it ever since the present Government came in. We do not want an examination, we want a dock.

Commander Noble

During discussions with the Chiefs of Staff, would the Minister bear in mind the apparent influence of the Minister of Defence in this direction?

Colonel Hutchison

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, and the period of time over which this matter has dragged on, I beg to give notice that I will raise it on the Adjournment.