§ Mr. ASHLEYasked how many battleships, cruisers, and destroyers, provided for in the 1904–5 programme and subsequent years, have been completed in the time specified in the contract; and what are their names?
§ Mr. McKENNANone of the vessels referred to were completed in the time specified in the contract.
§ Mr. ASHLEYWhy in every case was the contract time exceeded?
§ Mr. McKENNAI think the general reason was on account of the great strike.
§ Mr. ASHLEYWould that affect dockyard ships, too?
§ Mr. McKENNAOh, yes. Dockyard ships do not make their own machinery.