asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if any arrangements have been made for the maintenance of the special plant required in Government and private yards for naval construction?

Necessity has not arisen for any special arrangements to be made by the Admiralty for the maintenance of shipbuilding plant either in Government or private yards.

Am I to understand from that reply that the Government contemplate a shipbuilding programme at an early date?

I can add nothing to the answer which I have given on the specific programme. We have maintained in the dockyards a stable position of labour, and we have announced in the Estimates now before the House our general position with regard to construction.

Does that apply to Woolwich Dockyard as well?

There is no dockyard at Woolwich.

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken any steps to ensure the maintenance of plant in private dockyards?

There have never been any special steps taken to maintain plant in private shipyards. There have been steps taken to maintain plant for Armaments and the like, but that does not apply to private yards.