§ Mr. GIBSON BOWLESasked if the right hon. Gentleman could state when the first effective order was given for H.M.S. "Dreadnought," laid down on 2nd October, 1905, and commissioned on 11th December, 1906?
§ Mr. McKENNAI must refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to his predecessor in the representation of Kings Lynn on 10th March, 1909, namely, that the dates of order of heavy guns and mountings are considered confidential. In the case of the "Dreadnought," the first order given was for guns and mountings.
§ Mr. GIBSON BOWLESAm I to gather that we are never to learn from the Admiralty what is the real time taken from the date of the first effective order?
§ Mr. McKENNALast year I stated to the House that under ordinary circumstances a ship could be built from the first order until the period of trial in two years and three months.
§ Lord CHARLES BERESFORDIs it not a fact that the "Lord Nelson" and the "Agamemnon" were delayed for many months in order that guns and gun-mountings might be put into the "Dreadnought"?
§ Mr. McKENNAAs I have already stated that it is undesirable—I stated in March last—to give any further information on this subject, I hope the Noble Lord will respect that.