§ 22. Mr. HOUSTONasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can state the total number of British and foreign merchant vessels which are now under repair, or awaiting repair, in the United Kingdom, and their aggregate tonnage?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe number and tonnage of British and foreign merchant ships under repair in the United Kingdom, either in dry dock or afloat, at the 17th October, were as follows:—
With the exception of one important vessel, the repairs to which could not, until 1438 lately, be sanctioned, there are no vessels reported as awaiting repairs at the moment, although occasional short delays owing to local conditions are, of course, unavoidable in ship-repair work.
Nos. Tons. British 264 979,161 Allied 31 92,713 Neutral 44 77,955 339 1,149,829
§ Mr. HOUSTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that yesterday at Liverpool there were 140 steamers which required repairs in the dry dock list, and in view of what the right hon. Gentleman has said, will he see that our Allies are informed of our limitations of shipping?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI have given the facts to the 17th of October, but I will take note of what my hon. Friend has told me.