§ 17 and 18. Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Minister of Labour (1) if he is aware that unemployment in the shipyards is causing grave anxiety on the Clyde; that fears of further reductions in capital expenditure is adding to that anxiety; and what steps he is taking to ensure alternative employment for all men discharged as redundant from the dockyards of the Clyde;
(2) if he is aware of the anxiety caused by the growing unemployment in the shipyards of the Clyde; and what steps he is taking either in conjunction with other Departments or on his own to attract fresh orders to this area, to investigate alternative schemes of employment or in other ways to secure that these workmen are enabled to use their skill to the advantage of their country.
§ Mr. IsaacsI am aware that some anxieties are prevalent in various shipyard areas. As regards the Clyde, however, there has been no significant growth recently in the numbers of shipyards workers registered as unemployed. My information is that the present level of employment in the Clyde shipyards can be expected to continue until at least the early summer of next year. There may then be some falling-off as reconversion jobs come to completion. In that event, suitable work is likely to be available for any skilled men who may be displaced, and every effort will be made to place them and others in alternative work as quickly as possible. The outlook is being kept continually under review by the Departments concerned, together with the general problem of unemployment in this area.
§ Mr. RankinIs my right hon. Friend aware that the fear is not that by next summer there will be some falling off in employment, but that by next summer there will be a great amount of unemployment on the Clyde on the basis of present orders?
§ Mr. IsaacsI can assure the House and the Members who have put down these Questions that this question of ship 184 repairs and shipyard work is having frequent and regular consideration. There has been a drop of 2,684 in the shipyard labour force on the Clyde, but the number of unemployed in the area has gone up by 290; so some 2,600 have gone into other jobs.
§ Mr. GallacherAs there is a considerable falling-off in repairs and re-conversions, and as there is a great increase in tankers as compared with ordinary shipping, will the Minister realise that there is great uneasiness right down the whole length of the Clyde, and will he not discuss with the other members of the Government the desirability of a graving dock in Greenock so that all the ships built on the Clyde could be berthed there?
§ Mr. IsaacsI hope I have made it clear that there is constant contact between myself and other Ministers concerned. Although the Clyde is in a peculiar position, we have exactly the same problem in other areas, and we must consider the situation as a whole.
§ Colonel RopnerIs the Minister aware that there would be more work in the shipyards today if the shipping firms were allowed to dispose of their old ships and thereby acquire funds with which to build new ones?
§ Mr. IsaacsThat is one of the points under consideration.
§ Mr. LoganCan my right hon. Friend see, with the other Ministers, that there is a fair allocation of work between the various ports where unemployment is taking place?
§ Mr. IsaacsYes, Sir.
§ Commander NobleCan the Minister say what quantity of shipping is being repaired in Hamburg?
§ Mr. IsaacsNo, Sir. I can only answer on unemployment. Questions on allocation should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport.