HC Deb 16 July 1952 vol 503 cc2151-2
55. Mr. Albu

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when it is proposed to make a reply to the recommendations of the Select Committee on Estimates contained in the eighth and ninth Reports of the last session.

The Civil Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. Wingfield Digby)

The Admiralty's reply to most of the recommendations of the Select Committee is about to be despatched. The reply to the remaining recommendations will be sent as soon as possible, but we are pledged to discuss some of them with the Staff Side of the Admiralty Administrative Whitley Council. I am sorry that it has not proved possible to send all the replies together.

Mr. Albu

Will not the Civil Lord agree that, although the recommendations of the Select Committee for the reorganisation of dockyard management were far-reaching, the time has now come when a reply should be made? Can the Civil Lord say whether we shall have the remainder of the reply before we rise for the Recess?

Mr. Digby

I very much regret that it is unlikely that that will be possible, but we are doing everything we can. I would stress again that there were no fewer than 21 recommendations with far-reaching effects.

Mr. Ross

What is being done about the first recommendation of the Committee, which was to the effect that more work should be sent to Rosyth because the work is done there better and cheaper than anywhere else?

Mr. Digby

I am aware of that recommendation, but I do not think I should anticipate the replies.

Mr. Foot

Does not the hon. Gentleman think we ought to have the replies before the Recess? Many of the recommendations figured in a Report to the Admiralty as long ago as 1927 and so the Admiralty have had since 1927 to consider most of them.