§ 12. Mr. GEORGE LAMBERTasked the First Lord of the Admiralty who were the officials responsible for recommending to the War Cabinet the establishment of national shipyards?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe matter is generally dealt with in paragraph 2 of the Fourth Report from the Select Committee 1694 on National Expenditure. I may, however; add that the whole question of the shipbuilding resources of the country was placed before the War Cabinet in July, 1917, by the then First Lord, who put in the comprehensive survey referred to by the Select Committee, which had been prepared by the then Navy Controller, the present First Lord.
That comprehensive survey led up to a number of proposals, and these were contingent upon a series of objectives to be aimed at as regards output of new merchant tonnage. The realisation of a figure suggested by the Controller of Shipping involved, according to the memorandum of the then Navy Controller, the present First Lord, the establishment of national yards. The War Cabinet approved the report in principle as a matter of extreme importance and urgency. It was, I understand, further discussed in detail by a Sub-committee on behalf of the War Cabinet.
In view of the comments of the Select Committee, we think it desirable that Vote 8, Navy Estimates, should be put down for discussion at the earliest possible date, in order that an opportunity may be given to the House to discuss the Committee's Report, which, as Members know, raises the whole question of the establishment of the national shipyards.
I ought to add that Vote 8, of course, covers Navy ship construction, but I am sure the House will agree that it is understood that it would not be in the public interest to go into that matter.