§ 67. Mr. STEWARTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether the facilities for building merchant ships in Shanghai have been fully availed of for the construction of British ships; what tonnage is at present under construction for England and the United States, respectively; and whether permits have been granted for the export of shipbuilding materials for neutral vessels under construction at Shanghai, in view of the necessity for all possible materials being availed of for the replacement of British tonnage?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYYes, Sir; so far as steel can be spared from this country. Contracts have been made with the Shanghai Dock and Engineering Company for three standard steamers of 5,000 tons deadweight each, for which the material is already on its way from this country. It is understood that the American Government have made a contract with the Kiang Nan Dock and Engineering Works, Shanghai, for the construction of four cargo vessels of 10,000 tons each, with the option of eight additional steamers of the same tonnage, but the Shipping Controller is not aware whether any of these vessels have yet been laid down. Licences for the export of shipbuilding materials have been granted for certain neutral vessels, time-chartered to the Allies, with a view to clearing the berths for steamers to be built for the account of His Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. STEWARTCan the hon. Gentleman say why, seeing that the Government have used the ship-building facilities at Hong Kong for some time, no effort seems to have been made to use the shipbuilding facilities at Shanghai for the last two years or more?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYThe determining factor is the supply of material as I have explained in my answer to the question.
§ Mr. HOUSTONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that on Wednesday last I addressed a much fuller question than this to the Prime Minister, and that it was postponed at the request of the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the House? In that question I asked for exhaustive investigation to be made into the circumstances which had prevented Great Britain from acquiring ships which are so badly wanted, and I further pressed the Leader of the House to appoint some tribunal to investigate these things and the action of Messrs. Vickers' representative in Shanghai?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYI am afraid I must ask for notice.
§ Mr. G. TERRELLWill these vessels being built in China be British or American vessels?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYI have explained in my answer that some are being built on account of the British Government, and the American Government has also placed orders for other vessels.