§ Mr. Hutchinsonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War 1258W Transport what arrangements are now made to provide oil-tankers with steel lifeboats; and what priority is accorded to the manufacturers of these boats.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIn answer to the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the answers Which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for North Kensington (Captain Duncan) on 3rd November and 7th December last. The detailed work involved in applying pre-fabricated methods to the manufacture of steel boats of the new design has taken longer than was anticipated. This is due, not to any refusal of priority, but to the inherent difficulties of the work, and in particular to the need for special presses and dies. The preliminary work is now well advanced, and production should begin in the early summer. The conversion of wooden lifeboats is proceeding and I hope that it may be accelerated in the very early future.