§ 1. Mr. P. Williamsasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many orders for new naval vessels have been placed as a result of the recent agreement with the Government of the Union of South Africa.
§ The First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. J. P. L. Thomas)None, Sir. The first orders for the programme will be placed in the near future.
§ Mr. WilliamsIs my right hon. Friend aware that at present the shipyards, certainly those in the North-East of England, are suffering from a shortage of steel? Is it not a possibility that the present programme may be put back even further?
§ Mr. ThomasI will go into that point, but I hope very much not.
§ Mr. BottomleyIs the right hon. Gentleman now in a position to give me an answer to the question which I put to him earlier when he made his statement? Can he say what work will go to Chatham Dockyard?
§ Mr. ThomasI cannot say what work will go to Chatham Dockyard, but I can say that all shipyards and dockyards will be considered fairly so far as the orders to which the Question refers are concerned.