HC Deb 09 December 1974 vol 883 cc63-5W
Mr. Younger

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what the effect on employment in shipbuilding on Clydeside will be following the cuts in the Royal Navy announced in his statement on cuts in defence spending.

Mr. Trotter

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the proposed cuts in the strength of the Royal Navy will result in less work being given to civilian shipbuilders ; and, if so, what is his estimate of the reduction in terms of employment and value of work.

Mr. Judd

My right hon. Friend said on 3rd December that planned new ship construction will be reduced; this means that there would be less naval work for the shipbuilding industry. It is too early to say what the effects of these reductions will be for civilian shipbuilders but full account will be taken of industrial and employment considerations.

Mr. Trotter

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the proposed cuts in the strength of the Royal Navy will result in less work being given to civilian ship-repairers ; and, if so, what is his estimate of the reduction in terms of employment and value of work.

Mr. Judd

My right hon. Friend said on 3rd December that ship refitting would be concentrated on the Royal dockyards ; it is too early to say what the precise implications of this will be for civilian ship repairers but full account will be taken of industrial and employment considerations.

Mr. Peter Walker

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those shipbuilders that will lose contracts as a result of his reductions in the building of conventional submarines, frigates, destroyers, mine counter-measure vessels and afloat support; and if he will estimate the cost of the contracts that would be lost to each yard.

Mr. Buck

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what alterations he proposes to make in the building programme of Type 21 frigates, specifying the shipbuilding firms affected;

(2) what alterations he proposes to make in the building programme of Type 42 destroyers, specifying the shipbuilding firms affected ;

(3) if he will set out current plans for the building of Type 22 frigates.

Mr. William Rodgers

Final decisions have not yet been taken on which particular ships will not now be ordered as a result of the proposed reduction of the planned ship new construction programme. But even when decisions have been taken we shall not necessarily be able to say which shipbuilding firms would have received the cancelled orders.