HC Deb 01 December 1975 vol 901 cc1242-3
13. Mr. Dodsworth

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the cost to public funds of nationalisation of the ship repairing industry.

Mr. Varley

Expenditure on public ownership of the ship repairing industry will not involve a direct call on resources. At this stage it is not possible to give a precise estimate of the amount of the compensation stock to be issued.

Mr. Dodsworth

Is the Secretary of State aware that spread round the shoreline of this country there are over 100 firms involved in ship repairing, employing over 15,000 workers? Does he not agree that any sums of money would be better spent in promoting their interest in international markets rather than in outdated concepts of nationalisation?

Mr. Varley

I do not agree. Our policy for ship repairing has been made absolutely clear. Indeed, there are many shipbuilders, rather than ship repairers, who believe that ship repairing needs strengthening, in particular in our port areas.

Mr. Heffer

Is my right hon. Friend aware that on Merseyside we had 18,000 ship repair workers in 1947, and that that work force is now reduced to less than 2,000? Is it not clear that the time has come for this industry to be taken over on a national basis? Does my right hon. Friend agree that one important need is to get the port facilities available for ship repair, which requires, if not immediate public ownership—which I believe to be essential—discussions between port owners and the nationalised ship repairing industry in order to ensure that we have proper facilities for ship repair? Further, does my right hon. Friend accept that one of the most important requirements is that the ship repairing industry be modernised, and that there should be discussions with the ship owners employers' federation to ensure that they do not use continental ports when facilities are available in this country?

Mr. Varley

I agree with a great deal of what my hon. Friend says. Discussions along the lines he suggests are taking place.

Mr. Cope

If it is not possible to give a precise estimate of the cost, is it possible to give a rough estimate?

Mr. Varley

It is not possible, because compensation for the ship repairing industry is to be determined by negotiation and, if necessary, by arbitration. At this stage it would be wrong for the Government, having to carry out that commitment, to give the estimates for which the hon. Gentleman asks.