HC Deb 27 January 1902 vol 101 c959
MR. HARMSWORTH

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, if he can state why the submarine boats were all ordered of the same type, and from the same firm.

MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

When the decision to construct submarine boats was arrived at, only one type of boat was available for purchase. The right to build boats of that type was in the hands of one firm, and it was therefore necessary to entrust the work to that firm.