§ 77. Colonel GODFREY COLLINSasked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he will say the amount of expenditure which has already been incurred at each of the three national shipyards?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)As far as figures are available at the moment, the expenditure on the three national shipyards is as follows:
In addition to the above there is a further sum of £69,492, mainly for the purchase of machinery, which has not yet been definitely allocated between the various yards. There are liabilities which have been liquidated. There are outstanding liabilities beyond these sums.
Chepstow … … £457,974 Beachley … … 653,412 Portbury … … 238,103 £1,349,489
§ Colonel COLLINSDo these figures include the cost of military and prisoner of war labour?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI should like to have notice of that question.
§ 78. Colonel COLLINSasked the Secretary to the Admiralty what further expenditure is necessary to complete the three national shipyards, stating separately the cost of housing accommodation for each yard?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe estimates for the national yards were for the sum of £3,887,000, exclusive of the cost of the land which would have to be acquired and the compensation to be paid to the Standard Shipbuilding Company. As regards the land, negotiations for the acquisition of the land required are now in progress. The same is true with regard to the acquisition of the whole of the property, plant, and material of the Standard Shipbuilding Company, including Finch's Yard. But in neither of these cases am I in a position to give a figure, as negotiations are still proceeding. When matters have reached a stage at which it may be possible to do so, the Treasury will be at once approached to give the necessary sanction to the expenditure in both cases, and I will state the facts, if opportunity offers, to the House.
As regards housing, there is a considerable sum in the original estimate for the cost of the housing, by hutments, of the soldiers to be employed—as a matter of fact, about £350,000. The part of this accommodation which has already been provided will be available for single men under the altered conditions, and a portion of the unexpended sum at our disposal for housing will be available to make a start with the married quarters. But the housing estimate will certainly be substantially increased. I have promised to do my best to have an estimate prepared when the House resumes the Debate on Vote 8, and in any case our procedure will be to secure Treasury sanction in advance for any additional expenditure for housing beyond that fixed by the estimate.
§ Colonel COLLINSCan we have an assurance that the figures referred to may be circulated in detail before the House discusses the matter next week?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI said we would do all we could and get all the information possible.
§ Sir F. LOWEAre these national yards now in working order and turning out ships?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe yards themselves are not completed.
§ 79. Colonel COLLINSasked the Secretary to the Admiralty when the first ship will be launched from each of the three national shipyards?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am afraid it is not possible to fix dates at present.