§ 75. Mr. ROCHasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether the falling off in building new ships during the past three months is in a measure due to the number of ships damaged by enemy action and requiring extensive repairs; whether he can state the total number of damaged vessels now in the United Kingdom which are undergoing repairs or waiting for facilities to effect repairs; and whether he can state how many of these vessels will or would occupy more than six months under present conditions to effect repairs?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe work of repairing ships damaged by enemy action has undoubtedly made a large demand on the shipbuilding resources of the country, particularly as regards labour, which would 1841 otherwise have been available for the construction of new merchant tonnage. The total number of such vessels which are undergoing repairs is seventy-seven; docking accommodation has been arranged for two others; and there are five vessels awaiting facilities for effecting repair. It is estimated that four of the vessels in question will take more than six months from the present date to complete.