HC Deb 21 October 1908 vol 194 cc1135-6
MR. BELLAIRS

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the purchase price to be paid for the two extra destroyers which have been bought this year to replace the two destroyers lost by collision; and whether he proposes to provide this sum by savings on other items of the Navy Estimates.

MR. MCKENNA

As the trials are not completed, no statement can yet be made as to the amount of the price, nor how it will be provided.

MR. BELLAIRS

As the sum of money required for these two destroyers together with the repairs of the "Gladiator" will amount to at least over a quarter of a million sterling, will the right hon. Gentleman undertake it shall not be provided out of savings on repairs, which would only create future unemployment?

MR. MCKENNA

I regret I am unable to accept my hon. friend's estimate.