Cunard Countess (Reconversion Contract) (Hansard, 13 April 1983)

§ Mr. Don Dixon (Jarrow)

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 10, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely, the placing of a contract worth in excess of £2 million for the reconversion of the requisitioned liner Cunard Countess in a yard outside the United Kingdom.

The Cunard Countess has just taken relatives of the war dead on a pilgrimage to the Falkland Islands. Many of those who died or who were wounded in that conflict were the sons of shipyard families. To place the order outside the United Kingdom is an insult to all those who gave their lives in the war. To place the order outside the United Kingdom is an insult to all the shipyard workers who worked so hard to get the task force ready on time. To place the contract outside the United Kingdom when the British shipbuilding industry is going through its worst crisis is an insult to every worker in that industry. Another insult is that British Shipbuilders put in the lowest tender, but it was rejected.

In this morning's Daily Telegraph, Mr. Van Ness of Cunard said that the contract was as good as placed: Malta can put more than 5,000 people on this job if necessary. In the Tyne and Wear area that I represent, more than 5,000 skilled shipyard workers have been made redundant during the past 12 months, and as many jobs are threatened because of the Government's policies. The story can be repeated throughout the country. In recent weeks in South Tyneside—that area that I represent together with my hon. Friend the Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark)—1,200 ship repair workers have been thrown on the scrapheap. The reconversion of the Cunard Countess will be paid for by taxpayers' money and it is a scandal that the work should be done outside Britain when so many of our shipyard workers are in the dole queue.

If a debate is granted, it will give the House an opportunity to debate the shipbuilding industry and its importance to us as an island nation. It will also give us the opportunity to discuss patriotism. During the Falklands dispute I recall seeing the Prime Minister coming out of No. 10 Downing Street and telling television reporters that they should rejoice because British troops had landed on South Georgia. Many of those who fought and worked hard for the Falkland Islands are now rejoicing on the dole queue.

804 My father was gassed in the trenches in France during the first world war. He was a shipyard labourer who was retained during the first world war to work in Palmer's shipyard. He was thrown on the streets with many thousands of good, hard-working men in 1934 and was not required again until 1939 when we went back to war. Conservative Members should remember that when they talk about patriotism. The Government should place orders with the British shipbuilding industry. If we debate this subject, perhaps the Prime Minister can come to the House and talk about her patriotism, as she is now doing throughout the country.