§ Mr. WATTasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether in any new trawlers that may be proposed to be built it is the custom of his Department to insist in the specifications on the metallic packing for main engines to be United States packing; and whether, seeing that there are other metallic packings made in this country which have been largely used for years for auxiliary engines with satisfaction, and that the use for main engines of this home-made metallic packing would save the nation £3,000 or £4,000 on every twenty ships without any detriment to the vessels' power or speed, he proposes to take any action in the matter?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe name of the packing referred to by my hon. and learned Friend has apparently misled him. It is not, as its name might imply, of foreign manufacture, but is British made. My hon. and learned Friend is also wrong in supposing that its use in the machinery of trawlers is insisted upon by the Admiralty. The custom of the trawler engine-makers is being followed, and proposals for modification to facilitate manufacture made by the engine-makers themselves being given as favourable consideration as possible.