HC Deb 10 December 1958 vol 597 cc318-20
5. Miss Vickers

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what changes he is proposing to make in regard to the workshops in Her Majesty's Dockyard, Devonport; and how many men will be affected, or considered redundant, as a result of the changes.

The Civil Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. T. G. D. Galbraith)

The only changes in workshop areas at present planned are the closure of the laundry in order to provide for expansion of the coppersmiths' shop, and the transfer of torpedo work to the Royal William Yard. Neither of these will involve any redundancy. Further changes in the use of workshops in the future are likely to take place in order to ensure adequate facilities for the Fleet, but it is not expected that they will result in any redundancy.

Miss Vickers

Will my hon. Friend give due notice concerning these changes? It is very unsettling when it is rumoured that changes are to take place when details are not known, in view of the real fears of unemployment. Will he see that some of these workshops are now modernised, since the first Nihill Committee stated that many of them were over 100 years old and needed bringing up to standard?

Mr. Galbraith

The trade unions were consulted and informed beforehand.

7. Miss Vickers

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is satisfied that the standards of the canteens in Her Majesty's Dockyard, Devonport, are up to the standards required by the Factories Acts; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. T. G. D. Galbraith

No provision is made under the Factories Acts for canteen standards—but of the 9 canteens in Devonport Dockyard, 3 have been built or modernised in recent years. If my hon. Friend has details of any complaints about the remainder and will write to me, I will gladly investigate them.

Miss Vickers

Was my hon. Friend's attention drawn to a statement in the Press which said that the Leader of the Opposition, when visiting the dockyard, had to sit at one of the tables, push aside a bag of sugar and make room for his half pint of tea, served in a cracked mug? Does my hon. Friend regard this as a good standard for Admiralty dockyard workers who have to eat there every day?

Mr. Galbraith

The Leader of the Opposition probably has more important matters to worry him than the state of the teacups that he may have met with.