§ 3.5 p.m.
§ LORD WAKEFIELD OF KENDALMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps are being taken to ensure that there is an adequate supply of British divers qualified to operate in deep water in view of the under-water developments taking place in the North Sea and in view of the fact that there are such qualified deep-water water divers available in the U.S.A., France and Germany.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (LORD LINDGREN)My Lords, the recruitment of suitably qualified workers is, in the first instance, a matter for the managements concerned. I am, however, informed that no representations have been received suggesting that the supply of qualified British divers is inadequate to meet the relatively small demand for this type of work in connection with the under-water operations now being planned in the North Sea.
§ LORD WAKEFIELD OF KENDALMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that reply. Is he not aware that, while at the present time the demand may be small, nevertheless, because of the rapid developments which are taking place in under-water activities, not only in the North Sea but in various other parts of the world, it is of vital importance for this country to take immediate steps to ensure that this important work is undertaken partly by British divers, and not just by divers from the United States of America, France and Germany?
§ LORD LINDGRENMy Lords, this, of course, is primarily a matter for the Ministry of Labour, and I can assure your Lordships that they are in close touch with the diving contractors and that co-operation between the two is close, and I am certain that, if at any time there was any need for further training or any difficulty in recruitment, there would be liaison between the Ministry of Labour and the diving contractors. It is equally true that there is a most efficient supply of divers from Service men on the completion of their service with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force.
§ LORD WAKEFIELD OF KENDALMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that further reply. Does he not recollect that from time to time the Government have given assistance to aid people to fly, and would Her Majesty's Government bear in mind that it might be useful to remember this precedent of the air in connection with deep diving under water?
§ LORD LINDGRENMy Lords, I am most grateful to the noble Lord for his interest in State enterprise. But at the moment diving operations by the diving contractors are private enterprise; recruitment is a matter for their own managements as, equally, is the training of their staff. But, as I have already said, if the assistance of the Ministry of Labour is required, they, in conjunction with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, will be only too pleased to co-operate.