HC Deb 29 July 1908 vol 193 cc1478-9
MR. ARTHUR STANLEY (Lancashire, Ormskirk)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, having regard to the fact that German destroyers of the current year's programme have already been laid down, he will consider the advisability of spending more than £4,000 a-piece before 31st March next on the 16 destroyers to be laid down by this country.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. MCKENNA,) Monmouthshire, N.

The question of naval expenditure on shipbuilding for the current financial year was fully considered by the Board of Admiralty when the Vote for ship construction was brought before Parliament in the present month: the Vote was approved by this House so recently as the 13th instant.

MR. ASHLEY (Lancashire, Blackpool)

Does the right hon. Gentleman admit that the German destroyers have been laid down?

MR. MCKENNA

The expression, current years programme, has no real applicability to the German method of building. I must not be understood as admitting the accuracy of statements in Questions put to me.

MR. BELLAIRS (King's Lynn)

Will the right hon. Gentleman say if the fact was taken into consideration that the contracts for the German destroyers which were laid down in April provide for their completion in twenty months, and whether our destroyers take from twenty-three to thirty months in building?

MR. MCKENNA

Yes, this was taken into consideration.

MR. ARTHUR STANLEY

I beg to ask the First Lord whether he will consider the necessity of increasing the number of destroyers especially designed for work in the North Sea, having regard to the fact that Germany has 60 of 26 knots so designed.

MR. MCKENNA

The number of destroyers is being increased annually, in accordance with requirements.

MR. NIELD (Middlesex, Baling)

had notice of the following Question: "To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty what were the amounts of tonnage provided for by the British and German Governments respectively by their programmes for the years 1906–7, 1907–8, and 1908–9 respectively."

MR. CATHCART WASON (Orkney and Shetland)

Before the right hon. Gentleman replies, may I ask whether he does not think that in the interests of peace and friendly relations with other Powers it would be well not to answer Questions of this kind, which draw invidious comparisons?

*MR. SPEAKER

The Question has not been asked.