HC Deb 11 June 1958 vol 589 cc184-6
11. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware that British shipowners are sending their vessels to Rotterdam for repair whilst shipbuilding and repair workers in Cardiff are unemployed; and what action he proposes to take with a view to assisting the industry in Cardiff.

Mr. Watkinson

While I fully appreciate the difficulties which some repair yards in this country are experiencing, it would not be in the national interest to place any restrictions on the freedom of British shipping companies to have their ships repaired abroad. Moreover, a restrictive policy of this kind might affect the volume of foreign tonnage which is repaired in this country.

Mr. Thomas

Yes, but does not the Minister believe that the shipowners in this country who are sending their ships over to Rotterdam are little better than those who fly the Liberian flag on their ships, since it is only to save money and they care not what happens to the workers in this country?

Mr. Watkinson

No, I do not accept that for a moment. The fact is that the whole of our British mercantile operations have always depended, and always will depend, on getting the maximum freedom of trade, and this is a vital principle of our prosperity and thus of our full employment.

Mr. Peyton

Does my right hon. Friend realise that what he has just said will have very wide support not only from this House and the country but from the industry, and that it would be absolute madness for this country to go in for a wholesale policy of discrimination?

Mr. Thomas

But will the Minister bear in mind that, while I am not asking for direction, I am asking for an appeal to these people to bear in mind that skilled craftsmen in this country are unemployed at a time when they are sending work abroad?

Mr. Watkinson

That is a different issue, and that I accept. I think any shipowner, or any person who is considering these matters, should take most careful account of the facilities offered in this country.

Mr. J. Griffiths

Will the Minister realise that these ports have for generations made a very big contribution to the economy and wealth of the country, and now that they are meeting with difficulties his Ministry has the responsibility, within the lines of general policy, of doing everything possible to help them?

Mr. Watkinson

I agree with that, too.

Mr. P. Williams

Will not my right hon. Friend agree that the crucial point in this matter is the question of cost and the time in which the job can be done and, whether one likes it or not, the question of cost will force people to behave in certain ways, and that is all there is to it?

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