§ 77. Mr. HOUSTONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller how many of the standardized ships are already under actual construction; how many have their keel plates laid; how many are in frame; how many are plated; when the first of them will be launched; and whether their engines, boilers, and other machinery will be ready for putting on board at the time the steamers are launched?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of SHIPPING CONTROL (Sir Leo Chiozza Money)Over fifty of the standard ships are already under construction. None of them is framed or plated, and it is not possible to say when the first of them will be launched. It is fully anticipated that the engines, boilers, and other machinery will be ready for putting on board at the time the hulls are ready to receive them.
§ 78. Mr. HOUSTONasked the Parliamentary 'Secretary to the Shipping Controller if he can state the average ocean speed per hour for twenty-four consecutive hours' steaming of the standardised ships when fully laden to their deepest summer draft, and their maximum speed for six consecutive hours at this draft; and what the average consumption of South Wales coal will be at sea at their average speed for twenty-four hours?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYHaving regard to the object in view in building the standard ships, I regret that it is not desirable to publish the detailed information asked for, but my hon. Friend may rest assured that the speed of the standard ships has been carefully considered. I may add that I shall be very pleased to give my hon. Friend privately the information for which he asks.
§ 79. Mr. HOUSTONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether he will state the number of steamers the Shipping Controller has purchased from or arranged to purchase from foreign owners, and the average total dead-weight capacity and average speed of the same?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYNegotiations are rapidly proceeding with regard to the purchase of tonnage, but I do not consider that it would be in the public interest to publish the details for which my hon. Friend asks.
§ 80. Mr. HOUSTONasked how many standardised ships have already been arranged for; whether they are all of one and the same type; if not, how many types; and whether they are of the single, well, double, or spar-deck type, and their total deadweight carrying capacity, including bunkers, under the old freeboard rules?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYOver 100 standard ships have been arranged for. These vessels are all of the three-island type, with poop bridge and forecastle, and are of three sizes, with an estimated carrying capacity of 8,000, 5,000, and 3,000 tons deadweight respectively. Some of the 8,000 tonners are being built as two-deck vessels. The others are single-deck vessels.
§ 81. Mr. HOUSTONasked whether in any shipbuilding yard in the United Kingdom constructional work on an ordinary type of cargo steamer has been delayed, although plates are lying in the yard for same, because of orders given in regard to standardised ships?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYYes, Sir; it has been found necessary in some cases, where a comparatively small amount of material had been delivered, to delay work on hand for private shipowners, in order that the Government standard ships may be built.