§ Mr. Awberyasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty why the placing of contracts with Bailey (Malta) Limited has been temporarily suspended and further contracts, except those of an urgent operational character, withdrawn; and if, in order to prevent unnecessary difficulties on the island, he will take steps to resume the normal programme.
§ Mr. C. Ian Orr-EwingI have nothing to add to the reply I gave on 6th February to my hon. Friend the Member for Worcestershire, South (Sir P. Agnew) and to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Nottingham. Central (Lieut.-Colonel Cordeaux).
§ Mr. Awberyasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that in the transfer of the naval dockyard to Bailey (Malta) Limited it was implied that the regular supply of Admiralty repair work would be maintained until the transformation to a commercial dry dock was completed; and to what extent this understanding is still being observed.
§ Mr. C. Ian Orr-EwingThere was no understanding, written or implied, that the level of naval work to be provided would be linked to the development plan for the dockyard. On the 31st July, 1958, the Secretary of State for the Colonies stated
The people of Malta have already been assured that there will be enough Admiralty work in the dockyard to maintain about the present level of activity until the end of 1960. 179W Naval work will then decline, but there will be some warship repairs for at least a number of years thereafter …". —[OFFICIAL REPORT, 31st July, 1958; Vol. 592, c. 1598.]