§ 93. Mr. Morleyasked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the troopships "Empire Trooper," "Dilwara" and "Dunera" have arrived at Southampton during April and May with their painting done in Japan and China; and, in view of the unemployment amongst painters in Southampton, if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe bulk of the painting of these ships is done at Southampton and a full painting of the hulls of both "Empire Trooper" and "Dilwara" has, in fact, been carried out there since the termination of their recent voyages. In accordance with prudent ship-owning practice, the opportunity was taken when "Empire Trooper" was in dry dock in Japan for urgent repairs and during "Dunera's" turn-round time in Hong Kong to do certain necessary painting work. No work was done on "Dilwara" in Japan or China on her last voyage which only extended as far as Singapore.