HC Deb 30 November 1960 vol 631 cc378-80
24. Mr. P. Wells

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what is the cost, to the nearest convenient date, of travelling and subsistence allowances paid to men transferred from Her Majesty's Dockyard, Sheerness, since its closure.

Mr. C. Ian Orr-Ewing

I have the information only for employees transferred to Her Majesty's Dockyard, Chatham. This expenditure from 1st April, 1960, to the end of October is £16,000 for excess travelling expenses and £1,400 for removal expenses.

Mr. Wells

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of these men are registered at the Sheerness Labour Exchange as being available, for employment on the Isle of Sheppey? Will he consult his right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to see if he can get a move on with the B.O.T.A.C. applications which are at present outstanding so as to cut down this number?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

It is true that a number of consultations are going on for B.O.T.A.C. aid. I shall refer to this in reply to Question No. 25, which is to be asked by the hon. Member.

25. Mr. P. Wells

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty if, in view of the high percentage of unemployment on Sheppey, he will grant an extension of the concession regarding gratuities to men transferred from Her Majesty's Dockyard, Sheerness, beyond March, 1961.

Mr. C. Ian On-Ewing

I know how beneficial has been the arrangement whereby established men can transfer from Sheerness to Chatham without losing their rights to a gratuity if they decide to leave us later. I must emphasise, however, that it was a wholly exceptional arrangement and has already been extended for a full year beyond the final closure of Sheerness.

There are at present under consideration a number of applications from firms for assistance from the Board of Trade to provide additional employment. There is, therefore, good reason to hope that local employment prospects will be such as to enable the men to decide, by April, 1961, whether they want to take their grant and leave our service or stay in the jobs we are offering at Chatham.

Mr. Wells

Will the hon. Member give a direct answer to the Question which I have put to him? Is there any possibility of this concession being extended?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

I am afraid that I cannot give a positive answer about that. As I have said, more jobs should become available. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is negotiating for extra firms to go to the area. I think that by 1961 the men should be able to see whether they should stay in Sheerness or take jobs in Chatham.