HC Deb 23 November 1927 vol 210 cc1774-5
17. Mr. HORE-BELISHA

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider building in His Majesty's Dockyard, Devonport, some of the constructions required by the mechanised Army?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Commodore Douglas King)

I have been asked to reply. Having regard to the specialised character of much of this work, and to the limited amount of it that will be available, I regret that I see no prospect at present of offering the work to the Royal Dockyards.

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

Does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman realise that it is because of the highly specialised character of the work that the suggestion is made, and does he not consider that it would be more appropriate that this work should be done under Government supervision, rather than by private enterprise?

Commodore KING

I can assure the hon. Member that all work carried out by the War Office is carried out under the most careful supervision.

Commander WILLIAMS

Would it not be much better if it were done in the dockyards?