§ 5. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, if he will make a statement indicating when the Fishery Research Ship "Sir William Hardy" put to sea after her docking in Aberdeen for maintenance and the nature of the work then done on this ship.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works (Mr. J. R. Bevins)The ship put to sea again on 2nd April. While she was in dock apparatus was fitted to the hull to enable the hull resistance to be determined at different speeds. The ship was painted from stem to stern above deck and her fuel tanks were cleaned out. Minor damage caused to the ship while moored in Aberdeen Harbour was repaired.
§ Mr. HughesIs it not a fact that this ship is doing very valuable scientific research work commensurate with the very high cost of building her, and that therefore it is advisable that she should spend as much time as possible at sea doing that work instead of in dock? Will the Parliamentary Secretary take steps to that end?
§ Mr. BevinsThe ship was in dock for about a fortnight in March, but since then she has been out to sea during the bulk of the time.