HC Deb 25 March 1907 vol 171 cc1484-5
MR. BELLAIRS

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the total estimated cost of the guns of the "Dreadnought" is set down in the Navy Estimates as £113,200 and her armament as ton 12-inch guns, besides a number of small guns and torpedoes; whether he is aware that a 12-inch Mark-X gun cannot be obtained for a less sum than £9,800, so that only eleven 12-inch guns can be provided by the sum mentioned, giving a reserve of only one in ten as compared with one in four, as formerly existed; and whether he can state what steps the Admiralty propose to take to provide an adequate reserve.

MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON

The sum of £113,200 includes the cost of the armament on board the ship only. The reserve has been separately provided for and is adequate.

MR. BELLAIRS

Is it not usual to include the reserve armament in the cost?

MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON'S

reply was inaudible.