§ MR. RIDSDALE (Brighton)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Amiralty what is the estimated cost of the gun armament of the new German battleships, as laid down in the German Navy Estimates.
§ * MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONThe total sum appearing in the German Navy Estimates under the heading Gun Armament is £660,470 per ship. This would appear to include, however, not merely guns, but mountings and armour. The Admiralty have no further detailed information.
§ MR. COWAN (Surrey, Guildford)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Admiralty adhere to the description of the two new German battleships, given in the Return of Fleets, No. 129, issued last May, as designed to have a displacement of 17,710 tons and an armament of eight 11 inch and twelve 7.5 inch guns.
§ * MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONThe Admiralty have no later definite information regarding these battleships.