§ Colonel J. WARDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether His Majesty's ship "Indomitable" was recently sold out of the Service to be broken up by ship breakers; and, if so, why this work could not have been performed in one of the Royal dockyards, and so have found employment for some of the men it is proposed to discharge?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAHis Majesty's ship "Indomitable" has not been sold and is not on the Sale List. Certain obsolete battleships, however, have recently been or will be sold for breaking up. It is not proposed to break them up in the Royal dockyards because, as I am advised, wharf, crane, and dock facilities are not immediately available. We have, how-1152W ever, caused a certain number of small craft to be sent to the Royal dockyards for breaking up—facilities being available—and we shall continue to do this.