§ Mr. GRETTONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can now state whether the orders for gun-mountings for the two November battleships of this year's programme have been placed; and if a decision has been reached and the orders placed for guns and gun-mountings for the four additional battleships?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. McKenna)Orders for gun-mountings for the two November ships and for one of the four additional ships have been placed.
§ Mr. GRETTONMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the Admiralty have given consideration to the subject 1288 and are ready to place the orders for the remaining three additional ships which have been sanctioned?
§ Mr. McKENNAWe are perfectly ready to place the orders, but we shall not do so until it is considered necessary to do so in order to complete the ships within the time named.
§ Mr. ARTHUR LEEWill the right hon. Gentleman state whether any of the orders have been placed with the Coventry Ordnance Company?
§ Mr. McKENNAIt is with the Coventry Ordnance Company that the order for mountings for one of the ships has been placed.
§ Mr. GRETTONMay I ask what is the time named for the completion of the three additional ships?
§ Mr. McKENNAIt has been stated again and again that the four additional ships would be completed by 31st March, 1912.