HC Deb 29 November 1933 vol 283 cc863-4
19. Mr. T. WILLIAMS

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many new vessels of the 1933 building programme have already been ordered; and what is the number of vessels for which contracts have been placed, and their value, with private firms, and the names of those firms, and with Government dockyards, respectively?

Lord STANLEY

Apart from small craft, the vessels of the 1933 building programme that have been ordered to date are: The Convoy Sloop (His Majesty's Ship "Bittern") from Messrs. J. Brown & Co., Ltd., Clydebank, and The Coastal Sloop (His Majesty's Ship "Kingfisher") from Messrs. Fairfield Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., Govan. It would not be in the public interest to disclose the contract prices.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Is it not the case that £6,500,000 has been given to private shipyards, and only £1,500,000 to Government dockyards, and will the Noble Lord tell the House why there is this discrimination against Government dockyards?

Lord STANLEY

The hon. Member does not take into account what work the Government dockyards are doing in repairs, which largely accounts for it.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Will the Noble Lord tell us why private dockyards should get four times as much as Government dockyards?

Lord STANLEY

I have given the reason already, that the main purpose for which we require national dockyards is for repair work.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Is it not the case that there are 12 times the number of workers outside the Admiralty dockyards who have to be provided for?

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