§ 66. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Transport what action he is now taking to improve the employment situation in the shipbuilding areas.
§ 76. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the number of ships now under construction in the United Kingdom shipyards is the lowest since 1945, and that the orders for last year were only equal to half the full output of the yards; and what proposals he now has for safeguarding the future of shipyards and the employment of shipbuilding workers.
§ Mr. MarplesThe Government have recently announced two measures to improve employment in the shipyards. One is the acceleration of the naval ship building programme which was announced last week; the second is the inquiry into using shipyards for building work which is now being carried out. Apart from this, I have nothing at present to add to what was said by my hon. and gallant Friend the Parliamentary Secretary when replying to the Adjournment debate on 18th December.