§ 54. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that a request was recently made that the steamship "Benmohr" be docked for repairs in His Majesty's dockyard, Devonport, and that it was refused, although the ship draws too much water to enter the Great Western Railway Company's dock in Plymouth; that on account of this refusal the steamship "Benmohr" had to go to Falmouth, thus losing the work for Devon-port and Plymouth; and whether, in the interests of employment in Devon-port and Plymouth, the Admiralty will see their way to revise their present policy with regard to the docking and repair of private vessels in His Majesty's dockyards?
§ Mr. G. H. HALLThe hon. Member is aware that it is the policy of the Admiralty that His Majesty's dockyards do not compete with private yards for private work, and in any case a dry dock would not have been available at the time desired for the "Benmohr."
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this is not a question of competition If a wreck occurs outside Plymouth Harbour, why should not every facility be given to repair the ship?
§ Mr. HALLFacilities are given for meeting emergencies, but I do not think that this can be described as an emergency.