§ 89. Major KELLEYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when it is proposed to place contracts for the guns and gun-mountings required in the two new battleships; and whether the Admiralty proposes any payment towards the maintenance of plant in the works of armament firms which do not share in these contracts?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Amery)With regard to the first part of the question, it was originally intended to place orders for gun mountings in July next and for guns in October. In view of urgent representations made to the First Lord by a deputation from the manufacturing districts, the possibility of advancing these dates is receiving special consideration, but no definite decision has yet been arrived at. With regard to the second part of the question, as the distribution of orders has not been settled, this question does not arise.