§ 13. Miss Vickersasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, in view of the fact that the Naval Estimates for 1959–60 show an increase of £33 million for contract work and that Plymouth is a D.A.T.A.C. area, if he will ensure that extra contracts are given to Her Majesty's Dockyard, Plymouth, in order to help to decrease the high rate of unemployment.
§ Mr. T. G. D. GalbraithWork to the full balanced capacity of Her Majesty's Dockyard, Devonport, is already planned for the next financial year.
§ Miss VickersAs there was a reduction of 400 persons employed in the dockyard in 1958, and as we are likely to see further reductions in the coming year, especially in view of the fact that further land has been taken to extend dockyard work, may I ask why my hon. Friend will not accede to my request to employ more people?
§ Mr. GalbraithThe hon. Lady must remember that the size of the Fleet is coming down and that various dockyards have been completely abolished. When I say that the dockyard is working to full capacity, I mean in order to keep the Fleet up to proper service conditions.
§ Mr. P. WellsDoes not the Civil Lord agree that these figures show that the closing of the Sheerness Dockyard might easily have been avoided?
§ Mr. GalbraithI am sorry to say that I cannot reach the same conclusion as the hon. Gentleman.