§ Captain Pluggeasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the programme of repair and modernisation of warships in His Majesty's dockyards has been in any way delayed on account of the shortage of steel and other materials; and what steps are being taken to ensure priority of supply for Admiralty requirements in this direction?
§ Mr. ShakespeareThe programme of repair and modernisation of warships in 1793W His Majesty's dockyards has not been delayed to any appreciable extent by shortage of steel or other materials. With regard to the second part of the question, the Admiralty have their own organisation for co-ordinating the demands of His Majesty's dockyards for steel, and if it is necessary to facilitate the supply of particular requirements this is arranged through the British Iron and Steel Federation with which the Admiralty and other Government Departments purchasing steel are in direct and constant touch through a joint liaison committee.