§ Q9. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Prime Minister, in view of the importance of the proposals of the Geddes Report for the future of the shipbuilding industry and the reception they have had from both sides of the industry, what steps he is taking to ensure continuity at Government level on the transfer of responsibility from the Board of Trade to the Ministry of Technology.
§ The Prime MinisterIt is the intention to transfer to the Ministry of Technology at the appropriate time the greater part of the staff that handles shipbuilding business in the Board of Trade. The two Departments will also continue to maintain after the transfer their present close working relations on matters of common concern.
§ Mr. DigbyAs the Ministry of Technology will be the fourth Ministry under which the industry has been in the course of the last nine years, will the Prime Minister be careful to see that the staff is transferred at the higher levels as well as the lower levels, and that there is no 381 question of re-evaluating the Geddes Re. port aria the progress being made under it?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. That is the intention. With the steps that are being planned at the moment, staff at a higher level than those dealing full-time with shipbuilding will be transferred. Those staff have the fullest confidence of both sides of the shipbuilding industry. It will be the duty of the Ministry of Technology, as it has been in the past few months of the Board of Trade, to work with both sides for a full implementation of the Geddes Report.
§ Mr. John WellsIn view of the extremely good export record of the small boat building industry, can the Prime Minister indicate whether or not it will he moved from the Board of Trade?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that that is the intention, but I would like to look into that. It is my understanding that all parts of the shipbuilding and marine engineering industry will be transferred.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopIs my right hon. Friend aware that the initiatives taken during the last couple of years have been very mt.ch welcomed on both sides of industry and will he take great care to see that those initiatives are maintained?
§ The Prime MinisterApart from the effects of recent changes in export credits, I think that by far the most significant thing on the prosperity of the industry has been the appointment and the Report of the Geddes Committee. I am sure that the whole House will want to see, under whichever Department it is appropriate for the industry to be, the Geddes Report fully implemented.
§ Dame Irene WardIn view of the importance of the recommendations of the Geddes Committee and the support which comes for it from all sides of the House, could the Prime Minister arrange in the course of business, through the usual channels, for us to have a debate on the Geddes Report and the very important recommendations which flow therefrom?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House. But the hon. Lady is right in saying that there is full support from all 382 sides of the House, and what is equally striking and welcome is the very forthcoming attitude of both sides of the industry to the not easy recommendations of the Geddes Report.
§ Mr. BarberWhy was the shipbuilding industry not consulted about the transfer from one Department to another?
§ The Prime MinisterI have dealt with this question at Question Time and I have explained the serious difficulties of whether to have a horizontal or vertical organisation. The same considerations applied in the case of the aircraft industry. While the shipbuilding industry is unhappy about the number of changes that it has had over the last nine years, it is most keen to have assurances about the absolute determination of the Government, with them, to proceed with the Geddes Report.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder.