§ MR. ALDEN (Middlesex, Tottenham)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can inform the House as to the amount of the total liability arising out of new ships of all classes now building or contracted for; and what is the number of ships of each class now building or placed out to contract.
§ * MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONThe estimated cost of the new ships of all classes now under construction in the Royal and private Dockyards is £26,013,419. Of this total £12,126,220, has already been expended. The ships, are:—;six battleships, ten armoured, cruisers, eighteen torpedo boat destroyers, eighteen submarines, one repair ship, one royal yacht, three tugs and other small craft.
§ MR. ALDENI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the House could be fully informed, before 17 the financial statement, what are the total sums to which it is committed in the present and future years by the policy of the Admiralty in regard to ships and works on land respectively.
§ * MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONThe estimated expenditure in respect of ships now under construction in the present financial year is £9,516,508, and in subsequent years £4,370,691. Asregards works on land, the estimated expenditure under Vote 10, deducting the annuity in repayment of the works loan and expenditure on repairs and maintenance, is £690,191. The estimated expenditure under the works loan during the current year is £3,200,000. Commitments in respect of future years are approximately £847,000 for the completion of works begun under Vote 10, and £4,453,000 for the completion of loan works.