During the past year we have found some civilian employment father than create unemployment, not only in Rosyth but in all other Royal Dockyards as well. But one cannot tell how far that policy can go. There may be some reductions as and when the Navy Estimates cannot provide sufficient money for the employment of present numbers, but I do hope no one is going to try to commit the Admiralty to making a statement that the numbers employed in Rosyth Dockyard, or any other dockyard must continue to be employed there for the next 10 years or so.

The only thing we can say, as far as Rosyth Dockyard is concerned, is that we appreciate its value, and it is our present intention to retain it on an active basis; but as we all know, the economic position dominates quite a number of things which one wants to do, and in view of the economic situation I certainly cannot give an undertaking that it will remain permanent. But it may satisfy the people of Scotland, and others interested, for me to be able to state that should the economic and manpower state of the country cause consideration of a reduction of the number of Royal Dockyards in full commission, Rosyth will not be overlooked and will have consideration with all the other dockyards that we have. I am hoping that at least it may not be necessary for any of the dockyards to be affected in that way, but we have heard for quite a long time this afternoon of the difficulties with which the Admiralty are confronted both in manpower and ships because of the economic state of the country, and we cannot blind ourselves to the fact that there may be difficulties in front of us which may prevent us from making decisions. We certainly cannot bind a future Parliament. We do desire to retain Rosyth on an active basis.