§ Sir W. Jenkinsasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what number of ship-repairing shops are being used in South Wales and what number of men are employed thereat; whether any steps are taken to increase the number; and what number has been closed down since 1930?
Mr. AlexanderTwenty-eight ship repairing shops are at present in use in South Wales: no increase in this number is contemplated at present. The number of ship repairing shops in this area which it was necessary to close in 1930 was nine; of these four have been reopened for ship repairing since 1939 and one for shipbuilding. Speaking generally, however, our policy during the war has been to create additional capacity by extending shops already in use rather than by reopening derelict establishments. It would not be in the public interest to make any public statement as to the size of the labour force engaged in ship repairing work in this area, but I will communicate the figure to the hon. Member privately.