HC Deb 13 May 1963 vol 677 cc931-3
19. Mr. Willey

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what action he has now taken following the representations made to him by the corporation of Sunderland on his visit to Sunderland on 6th February.

Mr. Denzil Freeth

The Sunderland Corporation's representations have been taken fully into account for the purpose of the reports that my noble Friend has already made and will be making to his colleagues.

Mr. Wiley

Surely the Parliamentary Secretary knows that a reply like this is completely unsatisfactory and that it is time that something was done. We have a desperate unemployment position in Sunderland. This sort of flippant attitude, that after months we are still awaiting reports, really will not do.

Mr. Freeth

I disagree with almost every word that the hon. Gentleman has said, which does not seem to me to accord with the facts.

Mr. P. Williams

Is my hon. Friend aware that some of us take his Answer quite seriously and that we should like a Government decision on the issue of a scrap-and-build policy, for at the moment the absence of a decision is potentially holding up the placing of British ship-owners' orders for new ships?

Mr. Freeth

I note what my hon. Friend says and will bring it to the attention of my noble Friend.

Mr. Willey

Can the hon. Gentleman say when some action will be taken about Sunderland?

Mr. Freeth

Sunderland naturally is sharing in the general measures to reactivate the economy which the Government have taken and the other special measures which will spread over the North-East.

20. Mr. Willey

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what steps he is taking to assess the need for the placing of alternative work in some of the shipyards in Sunderland.

Mr. Denzil Freeth

My noble Friend is aware of the need of some of the Shipyards in Sunderland for alternative work. He has also studied the report produced by the team appointed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Public Building and Works to consider the feasibility of spare capacity in shipyards being devoted to the manufacture of building products.

Mr. Willey

Now that we have had this valuable and helpful report, may I again ask the Parliamentary Secretary When we shall have some action? At least a couple of yards on the Wear are facing a pretty desperate position. One of them is very concerned about doing alternative work if it could have the opportunity, but this needs a good deal of action by the Government. Advice is not sufficient.

Mr. Freeth

The essential thing, of course, is to have a point of contact between the shipbuilders, the shipbuilding industry, and the potential clients, and it is to provide such a point of contact that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Public Building and Works has established an office in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Mr. Short

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply to Question No. 17 and all the others, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

Mr. Speaker

I am afraid that the hon. Gentleman must confine himself to Question No. 20, because the time for giving notice about the preceding Questions is past.