§ 61. Mr. HAYDN JONESasked whether a sum of about £6,000,000 has been already spent upon the shipyards at Chepstow, Portbury, and Beachley; and whether the Government will consider the desirability of instituting an inquiry into what is alleged to have been wasteful expenditure of public money?
Colonel WILSONI have been asked to reply. The approximate cost to date is about £4,250,000. The ultimate completed cost depends on the number of ships to be equipped at the various yards, the nature of the equipment, and the number of houses to be built. Having regard to the statements which have been made from time to time in the House, and particularly in the Debate on the Vote of Supply for the Ministry of Shipping on the 19th instant,;t is not considered that a further inquiry would serve any useful purpose.