§ 38. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Power what steps he is taking to ensure that the construction of the Seaton Carew power station provides maximum employment for persons in the North-East.
§ Mr. MasonThe Central Electricity Generating Board's specification provides that the contractor should make the maximum use of all suitable local labour and should give consideration to placing sub-contracts with local firms where appropriate.
§ Mr. WilleyIs my hon. Friend aware that it was a disappointment to the North-East that we did not get the contract? In view of the importance of getting work of this character to the North-East, will my right hon. Friend ensure that this provision is fully carried out?
§ Mr. MasonI will certainly watch that. As my right hon. Friend knows, Babcock English Electric Nuclear Limited got the contract. Seventy men are already on the site. There should be several hundred employed by mid-winter.
§ Dame Irene WardWill the right hon. Gentleman give the date when it was decided to call for tenders?
§ Mr. MasonI could not give that offhand, but if it is perturbing the hon. Lady I will write to her about it.
§ Mr. ShinwellCan my right hon. Friend give me an assurance that men 681 who have been made redundant in my constituency as a result of the closure of pits because of the action of the Coal Board, with the consent of the Government, of my right hon. Friend's Department in particular, will be re-employed on the site at Seaton Carew?
§ Mr. MasonNo doubt some of them will be, but most of the unemployed in my right hon. Friend's area are construction workers and not miners.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopWill my right hon. Friend give special attention to the facilities available in the switchgear industry for this very important contract on Tyneside?