§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Prime Minister if he is aware that a very large number of British ships are being sent for repair and overhauling to the port of Hamburg; that 25 per cent. of the men engaged in the ship repairing industry in the port of London are now idle and a good number of them receiving Poor Law relief; and that some shipping companies have sent some of their big ships for extensive repairs to the port of Hamburg; if he will use his good offices, in trying to persuade the British shipowners to have their ships overhauled and repaired in this country, with a view to finding for a good number of men useful work; and if he will give a Return of the number of British ships and tonnage for 1921 that have been repaired in the port of Hamburg flying the British flag?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI have been asked to reply. I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies, of which I am sending him copies, given on the 25th and 31st October to the hon. Members for Howton (Mr. R. Young) and Kirkdale (Mr. Pennefather), from which he will see that there is no power to require repairs to be carried out in British ports. I would again suggest that if there are any preventable causes owing to which 635W ships are sent abroad for repairs, the matter should be investigated by the shipowners, ship-repairing employers, and the trade unions concerned. As regards the last part of the question, I understand that there is no available material upon which to base a return as to the number of British ships repaired in the port of Hamburg.