§ 43. Mr. F. Willeyasked the Minister of Works what progress is being made in the building of a new testing tank for the shipbuilding industry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EcclesA site has been secured at Feltham, Middlesex, and my Ministry is at work on the design. When plans are ready to go ahead with the major expenditure it will, of course, be necessary to consider the general economic situation at the time.
§ Mr. WilleyWill the right hon. Gentleman pay attention to the fact that this is urgently required by the shipbuilding industry, and that, although we are the biggest shipbuilding country in the world, we are at a disadvantage compared with the United States, Russia, Holland and Sweden, in this matter of a testing tank, and the sooner we overcome this disadvantage the better it will be for the industry?
§ Mr. EcclesYes, I agree with the hon. Gentleman.