HC Deb 24 January 1968 vol 757 cc127-8W
Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many men are now employed on naval construction; how many of these are employed on the Clyde; and what is the total cost of the ships.

Mr. Foley

The latest available estimate made by the Ministry of Technology was for November, 1967, when 17,400 men were employed on naval new construction in the United Kingdom, of shown in the table published in Cmnd. 3515. For later years, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister pointed out in his statement of 16th January, time will be needed to work out the precise implications of the new programme, and I am not at present prepared to add to the information given in that statement.