§ Mr. ASHLEYasked how many armoured ships would have been laid down or provided for in the financial year 1906–7 to 1909–10 had the Cawdor programme been carried out; and how many armoured ships have actually been laid down or provided for, excluding the four contingent vessels of this year's programme, which, as stated in the Estimates, may be laid down next financial year?
§ Mr. McKENNAI presume the hon. Member means by the Cawdor programme the reference in the paragraph under the heading "Shipbuilding Policy" in Lord Cawdor's Memorandum of 30th November, 1905. In this paragraph it is stated that the Board had come to the conclusion that the right policy was to make out their programme of shipbuilding for the next year only. This programme contained four large armoured ships. The actual number laid down was three.
§ Mr. ASHLEYWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of my question?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have answered it.
§ Mr. ASHLEYI asked the right hon. Gentleman how many ships were actually laid down in the four financial years?
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir—"How many armoured ships have actually been laid down or provided for, excluding the four contingent vessels of this year's programme which, as stated in the Estimates, may be laid down next financial year." There is no reference to a four years' programme.