1. Mr. RUNCIMANasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the housing schemes for shipyard and marine engine works employés are to be proceeded with; if not, what alternative means are to be adopted to house the extra 75,000 men declared by the Controller-General of Merchant Shipbuilding to be necessary for the existing yards and their extensions; and whether, in view of the urgency of accommodation being found for these men as they come forward without subjecting them to any hardship or delay, he can announce that the housing and hostel schemes for this purpose will be pressed on immediately?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)My right hon. Friend is, of course, aware that the claims for priority—both labour and material—are very urgent indeed from many directions. Nevertheless, the Controller-General of Merchant Shipbuilding will be bound, and so proposes, to press the schemes he has already prepared for 2077 securing accommodation for the additional men required, before the War Cabinet Priorities Committee and the War Cabinet itself.
Mr. RUNCIMANMay I presume that my right hon. Friend and the Controller-General are aware that some berths are being kept at present vacant owing to shortage of labour?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIn one of these cases, apparently the most urgent, the men have been provided forthwith, and the accommodation is being secured today by commandeering.
As regards housing, the next most urgent will be placed before the War Priorities Committee on Friday.