§ MR. HAROLD COX (Preston)To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, what is the estimated life of a first-class battleship of the most modern type; and on this basis what is the annual cost of maintaining such a battleship in full commission, allowing for interest and depreciation of capital, for wages of officers and crew, and a proportionate 1735 charge for pensions and training, for stores, repairs and renewals, and every other necessary item.
(Answered by Mr. Edmund Robertson.) It is not the custom in this country to condemn ships solely on the ground of age, but, in preference to fixing an arbitrary age limit, regard is had to the condition and general suitability for service of each ship.