§ Captain Bullockasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what action he proposes to take to ensure greater stability in, and the development of, the ship-repairing industry on Merseyside in view of the serious threat of unemployment; and whether he can give an assurance that the needs of this industry will not be overlooked.
§ Mr. W. EdwardsEmployment in the ship-repairing industry has been abnormally high since the war owing to the 195W arrears of maintenance to the Mercantile Marine which accumulated during the war and to the reconditioning of the many ships which were altered for special wartime purposes. These tasks are nearing completion, and as normal competitive conditions return, the level of employment in ship-repairing on Merseyside, as in other districts, will depend on the ability of the ship-repairing firms to obtain contracts. The need of Merseyside will not be overlooked when contracts for warship repairs are being placed. Two destroyers and three frigates have already been sent to Merseyside for refits this year and four more frigates will be going to Merseyside for refit shortly.