§ 21. Sir WILFRID SUGDENasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the high percentage of ex-service 478 men employed in the shipbuilding yards of the Hartlepools, and of the large number of unemployed shipyard workers there, he will give facilities for repairs or building of vessels of suitable types required and to be included in the building programme of his Department?
Mr. DAVIDSONThe claims of shipbuilding and repairing firms in the Hartlepool district will receive full consideration if and when opportunity arises to allocate repair work or new construction within the capacity of Admiralty contractors in that area.
§ Sir W. SUGDENIs it not a fact that at the present time there is certain work that can be done by our people in the Hartlepools more efficiently than in any other section of the East Coast shipbuilding yards?
Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSONWill the hon. Gentleman have regard to the fact that there are other yards with an equal percentage of unemployment; and may I take it that there will be no unfair discrimination in allocating orders?
§ Sir ROBERT THOMASIs it not a fact that there is no lack of ship repairing work, but that ships are going from this country to the Continent for repair, owing to the prices being so much lower and owing to lack of organisation on this side?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is not a question for the Admiralty.