§ MR. SHAW LEFEVRE (Bradford, Central)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty what is now the estimated cost of the ships building under agreement with the Australian Colonies, and how much of this will fall upon the Imperial Government; what will be the amount paid in respect of these vessels to contractors during the present year, how much will be paid during the year 1889–90, and what will remain over for next year?
§ * LORD GEORGE HAMILTONThe estimated cost of the Australian ships, including armaments, is £850,000. About £280,000 will be paid in respect of these ships in 1888–89, and the remainder should be earned in the subsequent year by the contractors. The Colonies pay for 10 years an annuity of £35,000 towards the cost of the construction of these vessels, and the cost of their maintenance up to the annual sum of £91,000.