HC Deb 11 March 1889 vol 333 c1385
MR. WATT (Glasgow, Camlachie)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state approximately what percentage of the additional expenditure proposed so as to strengthen the naval defences will be spent in contracts to private firms in this country?

LORD G. HAMILTON

Roughly speaking, about 75 per cent of the estimated expenditure on the 70 new vessels, exclusive of their armaments and ordnance, will be spent in contracts with the private trade of this country. As regards the armament and ordnance it is at present difficult to say with precision what proportion will go to private trade and to the Royal Gun Factories, as the allocation has not yet been made, but a large proportion of this expenditure will be spent in contracts with private firms.