HC Deb 13 February 1968 vol 758 cc327-8W
Mr. Garrett

asked the Minister of Labour what is the anticipated demand for shipbuilding workers in the Tyne and Wear yards in the next three- and six-month periods.

Mr. Fernyhough:

On the Tyne a generally static period is foreseen until June. This will be followed by a build-up in the labour force which should absorb some of the manpower released by recent redundancies. The employment level in the longer term will depend upon the extent to which new orders are taken. The future of shipbuilding on Wearside is dependent on the outcome of possible mergers which are at present under examination by the companies concerned.