§ Mr. Leadbitterasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will make a statement on the rate of redundancy at Furness shipbuilding yard; and what she estimates the rate of employment will be once the yard is officially taken over by the Tyneside Consortium in January, 1969.
§ Mr. FernyhoughI understand that between March and 7th November, 1968, there were about 350 redundancies at the Furness Yard and about 400 other workers left during the period. It is estimated that a weekly average of about 160 redundancies will occur during the remainder of this year, and some further unemployment may arise in February and March, 1969.
Engagement by the consortium of up to 150 men is expected between early December and the end of 1968. Thereafter although no precise figures are available, and depending on progress, it is hoped that an average of 90–100 men per week will be taken on during the first three months of 1969 and some further recruitment is likely thereafter.