HC Deb 21 May 1886 vol 305 cc1662-3
MR. JACKS&c.) (Leith,

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty, with reference to the two war ships ordered in Belfast, If he would inform the House if at the time these orders were given there were many builders, experienced in the building of war ships, ready to tender for the ships in question and build them under contract; if the builders to whom the contract was given have had experience in the building of modern war ships; if the Government, before giving the order or since, had or have compared the cost of merchant ships built without contract by this firm with the cost of similar merchant ships built by other builders under contract; if the Government have any undertaking that these two vessels will not exceed a certain maximum sum; and, how this sum compares with the tenders of other builders; or, in the absence of such an undertaking, if the Government has made any definite calculation or has any certain expectation as to what the cost will be?

THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. HIBBERT) (Oldham)

I went very fully into this matter in the answer I gave to my hon. Friend on the 11th instant. I have only now to add that there was considerable competition for the construction of the ships referred to. Messrs. Harland and Wolff have had experience in the construction of war vessels, having previously built two such vessels for the Admiralty. It is quite impossible to say whether the arrangements made by the late Government with the firm in question will be a success from a financial point of view until the ships have been actually completed. No undertaking has been given that their cost will not exceed a certain maximum sum; but the Government does not anticipate that the result will compare unfavourably with the cost of similar vessels built by tender.

MR. JACKS

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman had any objection to say what consideration weighed with the Government in inducing them to give the contracts to comparatively inexperienced builders in this class of vessel, when experienced builders were quite prepared to take the contract?

MR. HIBBERT

said, that this matter was arranged by the late Government; but, so far as he could understand the question, looking at the Papers, he thought they were perfectly justified in trying the experiment of building the vessels upon the terms agreed upon.