§ Mr. MIDDLEMORE (for Mr. Gretton)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state upon what dates the six smaller cruisers of the 1908-9 programme are to be delivered by the contractors; and when it is proposed to lay down the six smaller cruisers of this year's programme?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe contract conditions of the five protected cruisers of 1908-9 programme provide for delivery in each case by about the end of September, 1910. The anticipated date of completion of the dockyard-built cruiser is March, 1910. The two dockyard-built cruisers of the 1909-10 programme are to be laid down—one in April, 1909, and one in September, 1909, and the orders for the four contract-built cruisers of the 1909-10 programme are to be placed in November, 1909.