Mr. Davidsonasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how long price negotiations regarding L.C.T. have been going on between the Admiralty and the Clyde shipbuilding employers; and when he expects such negotiations to be completed.
Mr. AlexanderThe first quotations for L.C.Ts. were received in December, 1941, and settlements have now been concluded covering all but a few craft of one type. Quotations for a second type of craft were received early in 1943, and the Admiralty is now in possession of sufficient information about costs to open negotiations.
Mr. Davidsonasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the L.C.T. engine fitting, carried out by the firm of Redpath, Brown & Company, Glasgow, is a direct contract or a sub-contract; and how the time and price of this firm compares with other Glasgow and Tyneside shipbuilders, respectively.
Mr. AlexanderRedpath, Brown & Company build L.C.Ts. under a main contract which covers the engine installation work. This work is not, however, carried out by them, but is sub-contracted to various firms. The rate of production by Redpath Brown compares favourably with production at other engineering firms on the Clyde and on the North-East coast of England; it would not, however, be in the public interest to give production figures. The prices of several sub-contractors for machinery items and installation are under investigation.