§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what 1466 is the present state of progress of the 42 torpedo boat destroyers which are to be delivered by the end of the present financial year; and in what part of the Navy Estimates presented to Parliament in 1893 the authority to build these vessels is asked for?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHThe torpedo boat destroyers mentioned in the first paragraph of the question are most of them in early stages, having been recently commenced. What I stated in the Debate on December 19 was that they would be in hand by the close of the present financial year. One has been finished and five others are approaching completion. The second paragraph I have already answered in a reply given on January 2, to the following effect:—The fact that the amount provided in the Estimates for torpedo boat destroyers would be exceeded was made known to Parliament in August last in connection with the decision to postpone the commencement of the Terrible, and thus make it possible to hasten the construction of torpedo boat destroyers.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERMay I inquire whether the Admiralty is at liberty to divert any sums voted for one vessel to any other vessel, and, if so, what is the value of the estimates presented to Parliament?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHThere is no doubt on that subject. I may remind the hon. Gentleman that that was done in the case of the torpedo boat destroyers commenced by the late Administration.