§ 53. Mr. Gowerasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what plans he has for Her Majesty's ships making greater use of the Welsh ports, particularly the ports of the Bristol Channel; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. J. P. L. ThomasThe hon. Member no doubt has in mind facilities for ship repairing. The Admiralty will continue to give full consideration, when allocating contracts for warship refits and repairs, to the capacity and labour available, including the facilities in the Welsh ports, but I am unable at present to offer any hope of any considerable increase in the future volume of such work. Ships of the Reserve Fleet are, however, to be berthed at Cardiff, Penarth and Llanelly 398 and this arrangement will provide a new and continuing source of employment on the maintenance of these vessels. As regards ship construction, inshore minesweepers and coastal craft are under construction in North Wales.
§ Mr. GowerWhile I thank the Minister for that reply, may I ask if he will keep the matter constantly under review in view of the fact that the civil use of the ports has declined since the war?
§ Mr. ThomasYes, certainly.