HC Deb 30 November 1960 vol 631 cc384-5
33. Mr. W. Hamilton

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the scarcity of employment opportunities in the West Fife area, he will take steps to increase the number of apprenticeships available at Rosyth Dockyard.

Mr. C. Ian Orr-Ewing

The number of apprentices entered at Rosyth, as in the other dockyards, must be related to the jobs we can provide for trained craftsmen. The entry for 1961 has not yet been determined, but that already approved for 1960 has been increased over the last two years; in addition a substantial number of vacancies at Devonport has already been offered to Rosyth candidates.

Mr. Hamilton

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that we want jobs in Fife—not in the south of England—for Fife boys? Is he aware that Fife County Council is about to make representations, if it has not already made them, to him on this question? Can he say, as a matter of interest, whether when allocating the number of apprentices to various dockyards his Department takes account of the unemployment in areas surrounding dockyards, because if so, Fife would qualify very highly for a greater proportion?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

I am afraid that we must recruit people according to the capacity to absorb craftsmen in the area. It would be no use recruiting boys in Fife and then at 18 drafting them to another part of the country. At present we are looking at this for the next year. I shall certainly consider most sympathetically what has been said.