§ 94. Mr. KEATINGasked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he has taken into consideration the question of developing the shipbuilding industry in Ireland; and can he make a statement to inform the public what steps he proposes to take?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)The development of the shipbuilding industry in Ireland has engaged the attention of the Admiralty for some time, and I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies which I gave to questions on this subject on the 6th and 7th of this month. I stated on those occasions that, while it is not at present considered advisable to 1648 establish national shipyards in Ireland, every effort is beng made, and will be made in the future, to allocate to the existing yards as much building and repairing work as can advantageously be undertaken by them.
§ Mr. SCANLANMay I ask whether the Admiralty, when deciding to establish national shipbuilding yards, made an inspection of sites available for shipbuilding yards in Ireland, and gave consideration to the question?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI cannot answer-that off-hand, but I assume they had full information before them when they decided on the three sites which have been announced, with the desire to get new tonnage as rapidly as possible.