HC Deb 11 May 1943 vol 389 cc466-7
26. Commander Sir Archibald Southby

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare whether he has any information as to the manufacture of diesel engines at the Akers Mekanische Verksted, Oslo, Norway?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare (Mr. Dinǵle Foot)

Yes, Sir. I have reason to believe that the diesel engine shops at this shipyard are working in connection with ship repairs which now form the principal activity of the yard. A new small vessels are also beign equipped with diesel engines.

Sir A. Southby

Has the attention of my hon. Friend been called to the statement recently made by Rudolf Blohm, chief of naval construction division of the Board of Munitions in Germany, in which he said that the work of constructing submarine engines and their components is being done by German workmen in yards in occupied countries?

Mr. Foot

For various reasons, I think it is unliliely that these machines are being made in the particular yard mentioned in the Question.

Sir A. Southby

In view of the bombing of German submarine yards that has been going on, is it not likely that German submarines are being made in yards wherever the Germans can get them manufactured?