§ 18. Brigadier Medlicottasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when the training ship "Worcester" was sold; who was the purchaser; and what was the price paid.
§ The Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty (Mr. John Dugdale)The training ship "Worcester" was sold on 8th July, 1948, to Messrs. Frary Industries Limited. It would not be in accordance with normal practice to reveal the price paid.
§ Brigadier MedlicottWould the Minister deny that this ship was sold for £10, and is he aware that a ship of this kind probably contains anything up to 200 tons of copper as well as teak and oak? Is it not possible to find some better way of dealing with a ship like this other than selling it at such a low price?
§ Mr. DugdaleIn the first place the ship was sold for considerably more than £10, and in the second place—and this is important—it sank before any use could be made of it.
§ Brigadier MedlicottIs it not a fact that steps are still being taken to make use of the timber from this ship, and that 410 some timber is, in fact, being repurchased for the Government for use in public offices? Furthermore, is it not possible to deal with these ships by breaking them up in shipbuilding yards?
§ Mr. DugdaleIt was thought better to sell it rather than to attempt to break it up, and whether, in fact, the firm that bought it is breaking it up and salvaging part of it is something I cannot say.
§ Mr. DugdaleYes, Sir.