§ Mr. Gregor Mackenzieasked the Minister of Overseas Development what progress is being made in converting the naval dockyards in Singapore to civilian uses; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. OramAs my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence for Administration said in reply to a Question from the hon. Lady the Member for Plymouth, Devonport (Dame Joan Vickers) on 18th December, the dockyard was handed over to the Sembawang Shipyard (Private) Limited, a private company wholly owned by the Singapore Government, on 1st December, 1968. At present the yard is engaged almost exclusively on work for the Royal Navy, but the facilities are available for commercial use and work has been carried out on the first civilian ship to enter the yard. A retraining programme for part of the labour force is under way. Further development of the dock area and an extensive re-equipment programme are proceeding. A large part of the cost of this work will be met from the special aid funds which we have made available to Singapore.—[Vol. 775, c.381–2.]