§ 48. Mr. Benceasked the President of the Board of Trade what British shipbuilders are using one-pass, one-side welding machines on ship construction; how long they have been in operation; whether he will state form the experience of his Japanese tour to what extent Japanese shipbuilders are conversant with this type of operation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MasonOne British yard has announced that it is using this method of welding and I understand at least two others intend to do so. I saw one Japanese yard using a roughly similar technique and I have evidence that two others have been doing so for some time. One of the Japanese systems was approved by Lloyds for use in cargo ships well over a year before the British system and I have little doubt that some Japanese yards used one-pass, one-side welding ahead of us. At this stage it is not possible to make any final assessment as to the various merits of the different systems in use or under development.