§ Mr. A. Edwardsasked the First Lord of the Admiralty why the £135,000 refund offered by a U.S. shipbuilder, Mr. Andrew Higgins of New Orleans, was declined; and what other similar offers of refund have been declined or are under consideration.
Mr. AlexanderI have no knowledge of the offer referred to by the hon. Member or of any similar offer. When the Press reports of this matter appeared inquiries were instituted in the U.S.A. I will communicate with my hon. Friend when the results of these inquiries are known.