§ Mr. McENTEEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state what progress has been made with the naval base at Singapore; whether the contractor has met with any unanticipated difficulties in carrying out the contract; and whether British workmen employed on the work are retained in health and pension insurance under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Acts?
Captain WALLACEThe progress of the main contract for construction of the naval base is in keeping with the contract requirements for completion in seven years, and the only difficulties met with by the contractors are those normal in a contract of this nature and magnitude. The emoluments of the contractor's British staff exclude them from the provisions of the Acts referred to.