§ 14. Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, having regard to the statement made in the memorandum on naval requirements, prepared by the Admiralty for the Government of Canada, that in the year 1909 eight capital ships were laid down in Great Britain, whereas only six capital ships were so laid down in that year, if he will take the necessary steps to correct this error?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe four contingent capital ships of the 1909–10 programme were all ordered on the 4th January, 1910, 1167 and work was begun on them at once, although their keel-plates were not actually laid until the new financial year had opened. The statement referred to means that in the financial year 1909–10 eight capital ships were sanctioned by Parliament, and their construction was begun. This is true and calls for no correction.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in answer to a question put to him by an hon. Member opposite last week he made the statement that six ships only were laid down in the year 1909?