HC Deb 22 May 1963 vol 678 cc411-3
8. Mr. Bence

asked the Minister of Labour what reduction has taken place in the number of men employed in shipbuilding and ship-repairing industries on the Clyde since 1957; and what steps he is taking to place these men in alternative employment.

Mr. Whitelaw

The number of males employed in shipbuilding and ship-repairing on the Clyde declined by 8,300 between mid-1957 and mid-1962, the latest date for which figures are available. Our local officers are continuing their efforts to place unemployed shipyard workers by submitting them to suitable vacancies.

Mr. Bence

I am shocked at those figures—no less than 8,000 jobs lost in six years in the Clyde Valley. Will the hon. Gentleman do something drastic quickly, because many of these men will leave Scotland? It may be that many already have left. The fewer the number of skilled men we have as a result, the more difficult it will be to bring new industries to the area.

Mr. Whitelaw

I can assure the hon. Member that it is not our desire that these men should leave Scotland. That is why my right hon. Friend has announced stepping up our retraining facilities. Anything that can be done to persuade men to take these retraining courses will be extremely valuable.

Mr. P. Williams

Is my hon. Friend aware that hon. Members on both sides of the House who take an interest in shipping and shipbuilding matters are profoundly disturbed about the competitive position of the British shipbuilding industry? In discussions with his other colleagues in the Government, can the Minister give an undertaking that some form of inquiry will be conducted into the competitive ability of the British shipbuilding industry at present?

Mr. Whitelaw

I cannot give my hon. Friend an undertaking that goes any wider than the responsibility of the Minister of Labour. I can only remind him that a working party, representing both sides of the industry, is meeting under a senior official of the Ministry for the purpose of discussing ways of improving labour relations in the industry. I have no doubt that both sides can help in that working party.

Mr. Bence

I am amazed at the statement that because we have lost 8,000 skilled men we shall have training centres to train some more men for jobs that are disappearing. This seems nonsensical.

Mr. Whitelaw

I did not suggest that. I suggested—and I am sure that I will carry the hon. Member with me in this —that if we are to keep these men in Scotland they will need to be retrained in the new skills necessary for the industries we hope to attract to Scotland. These industries will require skilled labour.