asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many orders for new naval vessels have been placed as a result of the recent agreement with the Government of the Union of South Africa.

None, Sir. The first orders for the programme will be placed in the near future.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that at present the shipyards, certainly those in the North-East of England, are suffering from a shortage of steel? Is it not a possibility that the present programme may be put back even further?

I will go into that point, but I hope very much not.

Is the right hon. Gentleman now in a position to give me an answer to the question which I put to him earlier when he made his statement? Can he say what work will go to Chatham Dockyard?

I cannot say what work will go to Chatham Dockyard, but I can say that all shipyards and dockyards will be considered fairly so far as the orders to which the Question refers are concerned.