HC Deb 16 November 1960 vol 630 cc39-40W
55. Dr. A. Thompson

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether he is satisfied that the staff of instructors and training facilities provided for apprentices at Rosyth is being fully utilised; and whether, in view of the number of boys unemployed in the Cowdenbeath-Dunfermline area, he will increase the intake of apprentices.

Mr. C. Ian Orr-Ewing

The number of apprentices who can be entered at any dockyard must depend on the Admiralty's future requirements for trained craftsmen rather than the capacity of the training facilities. This latter is to some degree flexible. I appreciate that Rosyth has a higher proportion of candidates in relation to vacancies than other yards. To meet this situation the entry approved for 1960 is up by 35 per cent. on 1959. We have offered to Rosyth candidates a substantial number of vacancies elsewhere.

56. Dr. A. Thompson

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what plans he has for improving the living accommodation of apprentices at Rosyth.

Mr. C. Ian Orr-Ewing

Design work for the first half of the new living accommodation will start next year and we hope to start building this portion in 1962.

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