HC Deb 15 July 1925 vol 186 c1268
31. Sir A. SHIRLEY BENN

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the percentage of the cost of a cruiser which is expended on wages; and which are the important trades which benefit by the building of ships?

Mr. DAVIDSON

80 per cent. of the cost of warship construction is spent on wages in this country. The principal trades benefited are as follow:

  • Draughtsmen,
  • Shipwrights, carpenters and ship joiners.
  • Ship platers, drillers, riveters and caulkers.
  • Ship, engine, electrical and other fitters.
  • Boilermakers.
  • Coppersmiths.
  • Patternmakers.
  • Electrical wiremen.
  • Foundrymen.
  • Smiths.
  • Machinists.
  • Workers of various designations in armour and steel works and in electrical wire and cable factories.
  • Painters.

Major HORE-BELISHA

Is the hon. Member doing all he can to hasten on the announcement of the shipbuilding programme?

Mr. DAVIDSON

It is not in my hands.