§ 28. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that considerable unemployment is caused in Aberdeen shipyards by the fact that the largest shipyard there is limited to the building of a ship of about 500 ft. long or 18,000 tons dead weight, while tankers now required are at least 775 ft. long and 55,000 tons dead weight; and if he will take steps to subsidise the enlargement of Aberdeen shipyards to conform to modern requirements.
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettAny Aberdeen shipbuilder who has a scheme which is commercially sound and which would provide employment can apply to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade for assistance under the Local Employment Act. 1960. But an assessment of the commercial prospects would be bound to take into account the fact that several British yards which can already build very large ships are short of work.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the Parliamentary Secretary realise that the scheme I am 1254 referring to has been dragging on for far too long and that the great natural advantages of Aberdeen could be much enhanced in the national interest, for the purpose of reducing unemployment and also for the purpose of attracting bigger and more modern ships to the Aberdeen shipyards, by the method suggested in the Question, namely, greatly improving the amenities of the harbour and the shipyards?
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettThanks to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, Aberdeen has not done too badly lately with ship orders. I do not think that, at the present time, the shipbuilding industry would be helped if additional capacity were to be created with Government aid for building large ships.
§ Mr. HughesIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.