§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREasked the First Lord whether the Government give a bonus to private builders to induce the completion of ships at a date earlier than that contracted for; and have the Government any other means of avoiding the frequent late delivery of such ships?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the second part, His Majesty's ships are built under contracts which provide for payment of damages by contractors if delivery is later than the contract date.
§ Mr. ARTHUR LEECan the right hon. Gentleman say whether any damages have been paid by contractors in recent years when ships were late, as they have been?
§ Mr. McKENNAI do not know if the hon. Member has any case in his mind during his own tenure of office. I do not remember a recent one.
§ Mr. A. LEEI am referring to one during the First Lord's term; the case, for instance, of the "Temeraire."
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir; I have no recent case in my mind; perhaps the hon. Member would give me one.