§ 29. Mr. A. Robertsasked the Minister of Supply if he will place additional contracts in Northern Ireland to mitigate the distress caused by unemployment.
§ Sir E. BoyleAs my right hon. and learned Friend said in reply to the hon. Member on 15th November, last, we fully realise the importance of Government contracts to Northern Ireland, which is treated as a Development Area for the purpose of placing such contracts. We do all we can to place orders there.
§ Mr. RobertsIs the Minister aware that the unemployment figures for last month have gone up by 500 and that in almost every town in Northern Ireland unemployment runs into four figures?
§ Sir E. BoyleThe staff of my right hon. Friend is already fully aware of the desirability of placing as many orders as possible in development areas, and my right hon. Friend is fully aware of the facts to which the hon. Gentleman has drawn attention. It is fair to point out, however, that the Britannia contract placed with Short Brothers and Harland at Belfast will provide a rising curve of employment exceeding 500 by June of this year and reaching 1,800 by June of next year.
§ Mr. McKibbinIs my right hon. Friend aware that ever since the Comet disaster I have been in touch with his Department, and whilst we appreciate very much the orders for the Britannias, that does not mean that we could not do with more?
§ Sir E. BoyleWe are indeed aware of the interest which the hon. Gentleman takes in his constituents.
§ Mr. CallaghanSurely the hon. Gentleman does not claim that the Britannias were given as an order because this is a Development Area? Can he tell us specifically what Development Area contracts have been given to Northern Ireland quite distinct from the Britannias, which have nothing to do with this?
§ Sir E. BoyleI gave the figures about the Britannias because I thought they might be of interest to the House, but if the hon. Gentleman wants to put down a Question about particular contracts, perhaps he will do so?
§ Mr. CallaghanWith great respect, the Parliamentary Secretary himself said that this was treated as a Development Area for the purpose of contracts. All I am asking is whether he can tell us what contracts have been placed in Northern Ireland recently for Development Area purposes?
§ Sir E. BoyleNo, but I can tell the hon. Gentleman that the value of contracts placed in Northern Ireland in the year up to 28th February, 1955, was £8 million.