Dockyard (Hansard, 16 March 1961)

§ 12. Mr. Wall
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can now make a statement about the development of the dockyard in Malta.

§ The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. kin Macleod)
I am not yet able to add to the reply which I gave on 8th March to my hon. Friend's supplementary question on my statement on the Constitutional Commission's Report.

§ Mr. Wall
Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is very difficult for the new Constitution to get off to a good start unless the anxieties about the future of the dockyard are allayed? Will he use the strongest measures in his power to bring to a conclusion the financial discussions now going on so that the dockyard conversion can be proceeded with, since it has now been delayed for about eighteen months?

§ Mr. Macleod
Yes, I agree that it is important, and I will do that.

§ Mr. Awbery
Is the Minister aware that the negotiations with Bailey (Malta) Ltd. have been going on for two years and practically no progress has been made? Since one of the difficulties facing men in the dockyard is that they have no assurance of employment in the future, is not this one cause of the trouble? Will he look at this again and hurry on the negotiations?

§ Mr. Macleod
As I said, I will hurry on the negotiations. Very recently, I had useful discussions with representatives of the trade unions on both sides in Malta and arranged some procedures for the future with them.