§ 25. Mr. FRANCEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if the organisation of the new Department of the Controller-General of Merchant Shipbuilding has been completed; and, if so, who are the responsible officers appointed under Lord Pirrie, and what are their respective duties?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)No, Sir; the organisation of the Department is not yet complete. Lord Pirrie is going personally into the requirements of the various sections of the Department, and has not yet decided as to the organisation of the Department as a whole.
§ Mr. FRANCEWhen does my right hon. Friend expect that this Department will be complete?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThat I cannot say. I know that Lord Pirrie is largely seeing the shipbuilders himself, and it may well be that extra time will be occupied in that connection.
§ Mr. WILKIECan the right hon. Gentleman state if the Shipyard Labour Department—formed to deal with shipyard labour—is now under his Department, or what is its position? Where can we apply to when difficulty arises with regard to labour?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe Shipyard Labour Department is undergoing part of the general revision of the whole problem.
§ Mr. WILKIETo whom can we apply for the moment?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAYou had better apply to me.