19. Miss WARDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the scarcity of orders in the shipbuilding industry, he can accelerate the placing of the naval orders consequent on the passing of the Estimates?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Sir Victor Warrender)The financial provision made in the current year's Estimates for the commencement of work on vessels of the new programme is, I fear, insufficient to allow of any acceleration in the dates of placing orders. Generally speaking, it is intended to place the orders on about the same dates as those for the previous year.
Miss WARDIs my hon. Friend aware that on the last occasion when a similar question was asked, the asking for tenders was accelerated, and would he appreciate that even though work may not be put in hand the asking for tenders allows the unemployed shipyard worker to know that at any rate there is a Chance of work coming, whereas if no tenders are asked for he does not appreciate that there is any work available?
§ Sir V. WARRENDERThat may be so, but the hon. Lady will clearly understand that we cannot do more than Parliament has empowered us to do.
§ Mr. LAWSONCould the hon. Gentleman not see that this statement is put on the Government posters on the hoardings?
§ Mr. L. SMITHIf there is pressure of work on the technical staffs at the Admir- 1080 alty, will my hon. Friend consider using the efficient staffs of the shipbuilders rather than have any delay?