§ 24. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that His Majesty's ship "Berwick" has been in the hands of a firm on the Tyne for repairs; that the ship has been sent to the Clyde to have the repairs effected; that the contractors have sent numbers of men from the Tyne to the Clyde to do the work, although there are 1,500 unemployed engineers in the latter area; whether the extra expenses which have been incurred in this transference of workmen from one area to another arc being met out of public funds; and, if so, what such expenses are?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMI am unable to understand the hon. Member's question. His Majesty's ship "Berwick" is under construction at Govan, and is not yet in commission.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODis it not the case that one of these cruisers was being repaired on the Tyne and then it was sent round to be finished on the Clyde, and that the contractors transferred a number of engineers from the Tyneside to the Clyde, where we have 1,500 engineers lying idle, but quite capable of doing that work? That was my question.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMI should like to know to what cruiser the hon. Member refers.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODThe "Berwick."
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMI have told the hon. Member that the "Berwick" is already at Govan, being built.