Did leaders consider shipyard unemployment?

Did politicians consider the damage treaty cuts could do to shipbuilding employment?

No. Politicians expected merchant demand to keep selected efficient yards busy and planned to pay other yards to close.

The expected loss of naval work was discounted because politicians assumed merchant construction would keep the surviving yards busy. Labour planned to pay some yards to close while supporting more efficient survivors. Leaders expected continuing growth in merchant shipping to sustain those yards, reducing their apparent dependence on naval orders. The plan concentrated work in fewer yards and depended on the forecast of continuing merchant demand.