§ 18. Mr. Shortasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether he will consult the President of the Board of Trade, the Minister of Public Building and Works and the Service Ministers with a view to expediting the placing of contracts, both civil and military, so as to reduce redundancy and short-time working at Vickers-Armstrongs engineering works, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethYes, Sir. He has done so and will continue to do so.
§ Mr. ShortIs the hon. Gentleman aware that if he has done so it has produced no result and that in this, the biggest engineering works in the North-East, there has been a large number of redundancies and that skilled workmen who have been employed there for twenty years or more are now having to draw National Assistance? Is it not a disgrace that skilled men who helped to win the war and on whom this country has depended in the past are now being forced to eke out their wages by drawing National Assistance? Will the Government get to work and do something about this situation in the very near future?
§ Mr. FreethAs the hon. Gentleman will recall, on 8th May my hon. Friend the Civil Lord of the Admiralty announced that one Leander frigate would be constructed at Vickers in Newcastle.
§ Mr. ShortBut that is a different works. I am talking about Vickers-Armstrongs (Engineers). That is Vickers-Armstrongs (Shipbuilders). The hon. Gentleman has got it all mixed up and does not know the facts.
§ Mr. FreethThe main aim is to get activity going in the North-East. This is of prime importance. My noble Friend, naturally, cannot give one firm any particular preference over another.