§ Sir R. ASKEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether it will be open for all shipbuilding yards to tender for the building of the new warships proposed to be built privately, or whether tenders are only being invited from selected firms?
§ Mr. AMMONInvitations to tender will be sent to all firms who, in the judgment of the Admiralty, are competent to fulfil the required conditions of the proposed contracts.
§ Mr. STRANGERasked the Prime Minister whether any arrangements have 90W been made for allocating to any particular districts the contracts for building any of the new light cruisers, tenders for which are to be invited from private yards; or whether the lowest tender will be accepted irrespective of the area in which unemployment is most serious?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Admiralty will invite tenders in the ordinary way. If Parliamentary sanction is given to the programme by approval of the Navy Votes, the tenders received will be considered. The Admiralty do not bind themselves to accept the lowest tenders regardless of all other considerations, but will endeavour to make the best arrangement that the circumstances permit.