§ 14 and 15. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) with reference to £2,612,050 estimated to be expended in the coming financial year on engines and boilers of ships completed in His Majesty's Dockyards and elsewhere, which firms have been entrusted with the 360 construction; and whether there is any Government establishment in which they could be constructed;
(2) with reference to the £193,900 estimated to be expended in the coming financial year on auxiliary machinery for His Majesty's ships and vessels, which firms have been entrusted with this construction; and whether there is any Government establishment in which this auxiliary machinery could be constructed?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMThe amounts quoted cover not only a great number of contracts to be allocated during the coming financial year, but also various contracts placed in earlier financial years and not yet completed. It is, therefore, impracticable to furnish any statement of the contractors concerned. The hon. Member may, however, rest assured that the capabilities of the various Government establishments are borne in mind and opportunities afforded them of tendering for and manufacturing items of machinery, etc., in suitable cases.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that they are not making any of these materials referred to in my question?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMI am not aware of that fact.