§ Mr. YERBURGHasked whether the Thames Shipbuilding Company's shipyard is the only such private establishment south of Barrow and the Tyne; and whether, in view of the national advantage in preserving such shipyard, the Admiralty will consider its claims in assigning contracts for battleships?
§ Mr. McKENNAWith the exception of the large shipbuilding yard at Birkenhead —Messrs. Cammell, Laird and Co.—there is no other private shipbuilding yard south of Barrow and the Tyne capable of constructing battleships of recent design in addition to the Thames Company. Due consideration is invariably given to all firms from whom tenders for battleships are received.