§ 5. Mr. Awberyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what amount of commercial repair work has been done in the shipyards of Malta during the twelve months that they have been in the hands of a private company; what proportion of the workers have been engaged on naval craft and commercial ships, respectively; and what are the prospects for the immediate future.
§ Mr. AlportI am informed that one hundred commercial ships have entered Malta docks for repairs since Bailey (Malta) Limited took over; that from 10 per cent. to 40 per cent. of the workers engaged on ship repairs are employed on commercial ships at any one time and the rest on naval work; and that prospects of commercial work in the immediate future are good.
§ Mr. AwberyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the greatest fear in the minds of the workers in the dockyard at the moment is that they will become redundant? Could he give an assurance that as the naval dockyard closes down these men will be employed by the commercial undertaking taking over from our Government?
§ Mr. AlportMy right hon. Friend is fully aware of the grave concern which there is among the workers in Malta about the continuance of this form of employment. The continuance of that employment largely depends on the success of Bailey (Malta) Ltd. obtaining the commercial work which is required. I think the House will agree that the 100 ships which have entered Malta docks for repairs gives good promise for the future.