§ 3. Mr. CHORLTONasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken by the committee in carrying out the policy of scrap and build to make sure that only the most efficient types of new construction receive financial assistance; and whether all such vessels have had their hull form determined by proper tank testing?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)In considering proposals under the scheme, the Ships' Replacement Committee, which includes members with the highest technical qualifications, pays proper regard to the efficiency of the vessels to be built, but there are no requirements as to tank or other tests.
§ Mr. CHORLTONDoes the right hon. Gentleman himself have any particular regard to what is recommended, or is the question left entirely to the committee?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe committee is an advisory committee, and so far I have found no reason to disagree with its recommendations.
§ 11. Mr. BATEYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the total number of shipyards closed by 929 Shipbuilding Securities, Limited, and the amount of money paid by them on the condition that the shipyards shall not be reopened, and the number of persons employed when those shipyards were working?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am informed that National Shipbuilders' Security, Limited, have acquired 27 shipyards comprising 137 berths. The information asked for in the second and third parts of the question is not available, but I under stand that most of these yards were already closed at the time of their acquisition by the company.