§ Viscountess ASTORasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Plymouth Co-operative Society offered to place an order for a collier to be built at Devonport dockyard; whether the Admiralty have accepted the offer; and, if not, will he state the reasons?
§ Mr. LONGAn offer was received on the 19th January, and a reply was sent on the same day that so far as can be foreseen, we shall not be in a position to undertake the construction of a vessel of the class described. The reason for this reply was that staff on the constructive side would not have been available till March next, by which time we hope to lay down a vessel of another type which will give employment to a larger number of men.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is now 548W in a position to make any further statement with regard to the construction of merchant ships in the royal dockyard at Devonport?
§ Mr. LONGThe Admiralty hope to lay down an oil tanker at Devonport for fleet use, at an early date.