Naval Building Programme

HC Deb 22 July 1975 vol 896 cc269-70

1. Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the naval building programme.

The Minister of State for Defence (Mr. William Rodgers)

The naval shipbuilding programme is proceeding as planned.

Mr. Taylor

Does the Minister agree that British naval shipbuilders like Yarrow and Vosper Thornycroft have a superb record of building ships for the Royal Navy and for foreign Governments, at the same time providing secure employment and profitability for British industry? As these firms believe that nationalisation will do them a great deal of damage, will the Minister discuss with his colleagues, especially the Secretary of State for Industry, whether the nationalisation Bill might be dropped or amended?

Mr. Rodgers

I agree with the opening remarks of the hon. Gentleman that the shipbuilding yards have a very good record, by and large, and I was delighted to discuss the work of Yarrow with Sir Eric Yarrow and his colleagues earlier this year, but I do not honestly think that the discussions which the hon. Gentleman proposes would serve a useful purpose. We intend to take the shipbuilding industry into public ownership.

Mr. Dalyell

Will the Minister state what is the latest decision concerning the deep-sea search and recovery vessel which is so badly needed in the North Sea?

Mr. Rodgers

The position is as it was when my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Navy last reported to the House.

Mr. Trotter

Will the Minister confirm reports in the Press on Tyneside that no fleet auxiliaries will be going to Tyneside for repair after December, and say how these reports compare with ministerial utterances that the unemployment situation in the North would be borne in mind? Might I suggest that more Type 42 destroyer orders be allocated to Swan Hunter?

Mr. Rodgers

I cannot now and would never seek to confirm reports in the Press, but I am not aware of a change of policy here. I shall look at it and write to the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. R. C. Mitchell

Is it not a fact that naval shipbuilding firms have far more to fear from defence cuts than from nationalisation? What assurance will my right hon. Friend give us that the naval shipbuilding programme will continue?

Mr. Rodgers

It is always very difficult to give an assurance of the kind that my hon. Friend mentions. He is absolutely right to draw attention to the fact that we cannot have continued substantial savings on defence, particularly on defence equipment, without there being consequences for employment, but the position is as previously reported to the House. We do not at the moment anticipate any changes in what was announced in the Defence White Paper.