§ 9. Mr. Milneasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty the value of orders placed with North-East shipyards during 1962; and what is the estimated expenditure for 1963.
§ Mr. C. Ian Orr-EwingNone for the calendar year ending 31st December, 1962, but they secured the orders worth nearly £10 million for the three fast replenishment tankers placed in February this year.
In addition to these three new tankers, there are under construction or on order in North-East shipyards two 6,000 ton guided missile destroyers, two frigates and a tanker.
§ Mr. MilneDoes the hon. Gentleman appreciate that I am breathless, not because of running from the Savoy, but because of the Answer which he has given to the Question? Will he remember that while we are appreciative of these orders in the North-East, there are also small yards as well as large yards and that many of the small yards arc in development districts? Will he pay attention to this matter?
§ Mr. Orr-EwingYes, I certainly am well aware of the difficulties in the area. The total value of the ships which I listed in my reply is something like £47 million. There is, therefore, a substantial amount of naval work in the area.
§ Mr. P. WilliamsWould my hon. Friend welcome support from certain members of the Labour Party for an independent British defence policy?
§ 10. Mr. Milneasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty the value of ship-repairing work placed with North-East shipyards during 1962; and what is the estimated expenditure for 1963.
§ Mr. C. Ian Orr-EwingDuring 1962 contract ship-repair work amounted to £6 million of which £780,000 was placed with North-East shipyards.
As far as possible ship-repair work is normally carried out in the Royal Dockyards and we shall continue this practice during 1963. Repair work which we place to contract during the year will in most cases be by competitive tender and the North-East shipyards will be given the opportunity to bid for suitable orders.