§ 66. Sir W. SUGDENasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if, in view of the need of employment of shipyard workers and also economy of the Unemployment Insurance Fund, he will partition out the obsolete ships, etc., which are to be broken up to the various shipbuilding ports round the coast, or if disposed of to one or two firms that such disposal shall carry a condition that their breaking-up shall be partitioned out as suggested, thus to provide employment in the various centres instead of, as now, in one or two localities alone?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe obsolete ships referred to will be sold with due regard to the prices quoted and to the state of unemployment in the various shipbreaking areas. With regard to the last part of the question shipbreaking of obsolete naval vessels is being carried on at numerous ports and is not confined to one or two localities.
§ Mr. SPEAKERMajor Glyn.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENMay I put— [HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"]
§ Mr. SPEAKERDoes the hon. and learned Gentleman desire to put a supplementary question?
§ Mr. MACQUISTENYes, a supplementary to question 66. I desire to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if it would not be more economical and more in the national interest, with these old, obsolete ships if, when the non-ferrous metals are removed, they were filled with concrete, sunk, and used for harbours around our coasts for the fishermen, who urgently need them—as breakwaters?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and learned Gentleman seems more concerned about making suggestions than seeking for information.