HC Deb 30 July 1959 vol 610 cc124-5W
Mr. Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the complement employed by Messrs. Bailey Ltd. at the Malta dockyard; and what assurance has been given that the number will not decrease in the foreseeable future.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I refer the hon. Member to my replies on 7th July to the hon. Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) and the hon. Member for Cardiff. South-East (Mr. Callaghan).

Mr. Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what plans have been made to modernise the dockyard at Malta, now leased to Baileys Ltd., to enable it to compete with other Mediterranean dockyards; and what subsidy, beyond the £6,000,000 already granted, is proposed for this purpose.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Plans have been drawn up to convert for commercial ship-repairing that part of the Naval Dockyard now leased to Bailey (Malta) Ltd. The estimated cost of this work is included in the £6 million which is to be made available to the Company by Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the contract between Her Majesty's Government and Messrs. Bailey Ltd., for the use of the dockyard at Malta, includes a provision enabling Messrs. Bailey Ltd. to withdraw if the commercial prospects are not regarded as satisfactory; and what provision has been made for the continued employment of the dockyard workers.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

No. The second part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.

Mr. Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how far Messrs. Bailey, Limited, have increased their staff since taking over; and how many of these have been Maltese.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I am making inquiries and will write to the hon. Member later.

Mr. Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, how many ships and of what total tonnage have been repaired by Messrs. Bailey Limited since they took over the dockyard at Malta; what kind of work was done; and what were the man-hours spent on this work.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

On the first part of the Question I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) on 7th July. I have no information on the matters referred to in the remaining parts of the Question.