§ Lord ROBERT CECILasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that none of the British destroyers of the 1907–8 programme were laid down until the following year, the Government will undertake that the destroyers of this year's programme will be laid down this year?
§ Mr. McKENNAIt is proposed to place the orders for the torpedo boat destroyers of the current year's programme before the end of 1909.
§ Mr. ASHLEYWhen will those destroyers be laid down?
§ Mr. McKENNAAs the destroyers will be built by contractors under a contract to deliver them within a certain period, it is a question for the contractors as to the precise date they will be laid down; but the date of delivery will be laid down in the contract.