§ MR. ARTHUR LEE (Hampshire, Fareham)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty what steps he has taken, or proposes to take, to expedite the commencement of the war vessels of this year's programme of new construction, both in the Royal Dockyards and private establishments; on what dates, approximately, does he anticipate that the one battleship, one large armoured cruiser, six fast protected cruisers, sixteen destroyers, and £500,000 worth of submarines will be laid down respectively; and will the necessary money be provided to complete these vessels at correspondingly earlier dates than were originally anticipated.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. MCKENNA,) Monmouthshire, N.The tenders for the new torpedo boat destroyers are now under consideration. The battleship of this year's programme will be laid down in January, and the armoured cruiser in February next. One fast protected cruiser was laid down at Pembroke in June, 1908. The tenders for the other five fast protected cruisers which are to be built by contract will be received by 5th 731 November. Work on the submarines begins next month. It is not at present expected that the dates for completion will be anticipated. Any requisite money will be provided for the completion of these vessels at the dates the Board may consider necessary.
§ MR. ARTHUR LEEasked if it was proposed that the vessels should be completed at an earlier period so as to give the Navy as well as the unemployed the benefit arising from expediting their laying down.
§ MR. MCKENNAsaid that the expediting of the large battleship and cruiser was to such a small extent that it would not materially affect the final date for completion. The Admiralty did not at present contemplate an earlier date for the completion of the vessels.