§ 18. Lieut.-Commander AGNEWasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, with reference to the answer given by him on 29th July last to the hon. Member for Wallsend (Miss Ward), whether it is still his intention to proceed by way of tender in relation to the construction of any new capital ships which may be included in the 1937 programme?
§ Sir S. HOAREYes, Sir. I propose shortly to issue invitations to firms to submit tenders for the construction of capital ships to be laid down in 1937. In view of the length of time needed for the preparation of tenders and their examination by the Admiralty when received, this preliminary action is necessary in order to avoid delay at a subse- 2442 quent stage. No tender will, of course, be finally accepted before the relevant 1937 Estimates have received Parliamentary approval, so that no question arises of anticipating the decision of Parliament in relation to the 1937 Naval Construction Programme.
§ Lieut.-Commander AGNEWWill my right hon. Friend spread the contracts as widely as possible when they are given, and especially to firms which carry out their operations in depressed and Special Areas?
§ Sir S. HOAREI have already indicated more than once in the House that we do take into account the needs of the Special Areas, and, as far as we can, we do spread our orders, but we are necessarily bound by certain limitations.