Dockyard

HC Deb 26 February 1963 vol 672 cc1065-7

29. Mr. Awbery

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proportion of the first phase of the change in the Malta dockyard to commercial work has been completed; and when he expects the change to be completed.

Mr. Fisher

It is estimated that about 30 per cent. of phase one of the plan for the conversion of the dockyard has been completed. Of the remainder, I understand that the main contract, placed jointly with George Wimpey & Co., Ltd., and the Royal Netherlands Harbour Company in February, 1962, as likely to be completed early in 1964. As regards the other works and services included in phase one, it may be possible to give a more definite estimate when the position has been reviewed by the new Council of Administration but the present estimate is that these works are not likely to be completed before the end of 1965.

Mr. Awbery

Is the Under-Secretary aware that we had a definite assurance two years ago that the first phase in the reorganisation of the dockyard in Malta would be completed this year? What is the cause of the delay? So far only one phase has been completed.

Mr. Fisher

I am afraid that the cause of the delay is that the contract was not placed soon enough. It was placed only in February, 1962, which was due almost entirely to procrastination by the firm then in charge of the dockyard.

30. Mr. Awbery

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he proposes to take in the present circumstances in Malta to maintain a steady flow of both Admiralty and civil ship repairing in the dockyard to prevent any further increase in unemployment in the island.

Mr. Fisher

It is primarily a matter for the Council of Administration to secure commercial work for the Dockyard. I can assure the hon. Member that they are well aware of the needs of the situation. As was announced on the 14th February, the First Lord proposes, subject to satisfactory contract arrangements, to send H.M.S. "Troubridge" to Malta for a major refit in the near future. There will of course also be other Admiralty work for the dockyard.

Mr. Awbery

Now that the dockyard has been taken over by the Admiralty again, will the Minister give a definite assurance that there will be no unemployment among the men working in these yards?

Mr. Fisher

The Admiralty has not taken over the running of the dockyard, which will depend in the future very largely upon commercial work, so I can give no such guarantee.

Mr. G. M. Thomson

Can the Minister give the House an assurance that active steps will be taken to maintain employment in the dockyard? Is he aware that the present mess that has been created there is due to the lack of judgment of the Government in relation to the contractors they made the arrangements with? Therefore, the Government have a responsibility to ensure that the deteriorating serious unemployment situation in Malta is not made very greatly worse as a result of this.

Mr. Fisher

We certainly recognise responsibility for employment in Malta. The new Council of Administration hopes to maintain the level of employment in the dockyard. Whether it is able to do so or not depends to an extent on what work it can get, and on this the Council cannot express an opinion at the moment. After all, it has been in existence for only 11 days.