§ 45. Mr. Rankinasked the Minister of Technology if he will state the present composition of the board of the Upper Clydeside Shipbuilders Limited; what divisions on Clydeside are represented on the board, and by how many members; and how many further appointments are to be made to the board.
§ Mr. FowlerApart from one director representing the Shipbuilding Industry Board, the composition of the board is the responsibility of Upper Clydeside Shipbuilders Limited, whose chairman has, I understand, discussed this matter with my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. RankinI take it that in due course we shall hear that the board is complete? In the meantime, in the interests of good workmanship, will my hon. Friend take his own means of encouraging the new shipbuilders to keep in close touch with the men and the thinking of the men in the yard and try to base all wage increments on productivity agreements?
§ Mr. FowlerI am not sure that the last part of the supplementary question arises from the Question on the Order Paper. However, as to keeping in touch with the men in the yard and other interests affected, I can assure my hon. Friend that I and my right hon. Friend have every confidence in the new board and, in particular, in the chairman of Upper Clyde-side Shipbuilders Limited, and I am sure that they will do exactly this.
Mr. Edward M. TaylorIs it the intention to have a uniform wage structure in Upper Clydeside, and is the hon. Gentleman happier about the order position than he was a few months ago?
§ Mr. FowlerThe first part of the supplementary question is a matter for the company and it would be improper for me to reply. As to the latter part, the answer is "yes, indeed". The order position is now much more encouraging, and we all hope that it will become more encouraging still as the benefits of devaluation become apparent in the order book of the company.