§ 24. Mr. Rossasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty how much of the £241 millions to be spent in 1963–64 on new ships will be spent in Scottish shipyards; and what will be the estimated employment arising.
§ Mr. RossThe Question should read as referring to £241 million to be spent on new ships to be started.
§ Mr. C. Ian Orr-EwingWell, that takes away part of my Answer.
As I said in the Estimates debate, the figure of £241 million is not the provision for this year's building programme, but the estimated cost of completing over several years the new naval vessels on which some expenditure will start during 1963–64.
§ Mr. WillisCan the Civil Lord give some indication of what vessels this very large sum includes?
§ Mr. Orr-EwingIt certainly includes Polaris submarines, and there is a very small amount in far a possible aircraft carrier because, as I have said, this sum covers all ships in our plan on which there might be any expenditure in the coming year.
§ 25. Mr. Lawsonasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty how much of the increased expenditure on naval vessels in the next financial year will be spent in 439 Scottish shipyards; and how much new work will be started in the next nine months.
§ Mr. C. Ian Orr-EwingThe success of Scottish shipyards in securing tenders in competition with firms elsewhere will govern the expenditure on new orders in 1963–64. Scottish firms suitably equipped will, of course, be given an opportunity to tender.
§ Mr. LawsonWill the Minister bear in mind that the Scottish shipbuilding industry, generally, accounts for about 40 per cent. of United Kingdom ships built in any particular year? Will he further bear in mind that we have in Scotland virtually none of the new industries? Would he see that a disproportionately heavy amount of this type of building comes to Scotland?
§ Mr. Orr-EwingYes, Sir.