asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether our available inland engineering resources are being utilised to the full extent for production of standard ships' engines, boilers, auxiliary machinery, fittings, frames, and plating preparatory to these being sent to shipbuilding yards for assembling?

Yes, Sir; the resources of inland engineering works are being utilised, as my hon. and gallant Friend suggests, to the fullest extent possible when the capacity of the constructional yards is taken into consideration. So far as ships' engines and boilers are concerned, some twenty-three engineering firms who had not previously been engaged on marine work are now building marine engines and boilers. All demands for auxiliaries can be met from the former manufacturers without utilising the services of firms who would be new to the work. Fittings, frames, and plating are now being manufactured by constructional engineers and bridge builders in various parts of the country, and when complete will be sent to the shipbuilding yards for assembling.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that there is a sufficient supply of skilled and unskilled labour for carrying out the work in the yards?

My right hon. Friend the Civil Lord of the Admiralty gave an answer last week on this subject in which he stated the view of the Controller-General of Merchant Shipping, who is satisfied that at the moment all practicable steps are being taken to utilise existing private yard facilities to the full.

And for this purpose?

I should think so for the time being, but if my hon. Friend will put a question on that point, I will obtain an answer.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if, with the object of ascertaining whether the most economical use is being made of our existing shipping tonnage, he will in the public in- terest publish monthly or other Returns showing the time and tonnage lost by reason of ships lying in harbour laden or partly laden, ships making passages only partly laden, ships making one port and having to discharge at another port, and delay in discharging or loading of ships?

I have been asked to reply to this question. As I indicated in reply to a similar question asked by my hon. and gallant Friend on the 8th May, it is hardly practicable to make such a Return. I may add that even if it were made it certainly would not show whether the most economical use is being made of tonnage.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether an explanation has yet been received from Commander Sir Edward Nicholl as to his statement that there were spies in every port in the Bristol Channel?

I am much obliged to my hon. Friend for putting this question.

It is due to Sir Edward Nicholl that I should say that my reply of the 1st May stating that he had been asked for an explanation by the War Office, which had not then been received, was incorrect. The War Office appear to have written to the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief under whom Sir Edward Nicholl had been serving, and that officer replied that Sir Edward Nicholl had ceased to hold his appointment under him on 1st September, 1917. The request for explanation did not therefore reach Sir Edward Nicholl, as I presumed it had done. Had it done so, I am sure he would have forwarded forthwith the grounds upon which on 3rd March he expressed the opinion already referred to.

I have recently, however, had an opportunity of going into the matter pretty fully with Sir Edward Nicholl and hearing from him the grounds for his belief, stated on 3rd March, that there were spies in. the Bristol Channel. His statement, except in one particular, does not in fact add to the information already possessed at the Admiralty.