§ Mr. Awberyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what consideration he has given to the construction of floating dry docks to accommodate large oil tankers in order to save time on cleaning, painting and repairs.
§ Mr. T. G. D. Galbraith:The use of floating docks would not save time on cleaning, painting and repairs. Floating docks would require steel which otherwise could be used in the construction of ships. Mobility, which is their principal asset, is restricted by the small number of deep water estuaries in this country.
§ Mr. Awberyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, in view of the fact that there are only two dry docks in this country capable of taking 100,000 ton oil tankers, and in view of the urgency of this problem, if he will hasten the completion of the report he is preparing on the scheme relating to this matter, which was sent to him last year.
§ Mr. T. G. D. Galbraith:I understand that this question concerns a scheme for harbour developments in Milford Haven which was sent to certain Government Departments. Private Bills are now before Parliament for new facilities in the Haven, which include the construction of two new large dry docks capable of taking the largest oil tankers.