§ Mr. VERNEYasked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he can inform the House what was the shipbuilding programme put by the German Government into the Naval Act which is now in force; what was the date of that Act; and whether the rate of shipbuilding for the German navy has been accelerated or retarded, and, if so, by how much, or whether it has been continued in accordance with the provisions of that Act?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. McKenna)I will answer this question. According to the Fleet Laws of 1900, 1906, and 1908, the German Fleet should consist in 1920 of:—
The programme of shipbuilding, however, provides for the following numbers in 1920:—
- 38 battleships under 20 years old.
- 20 armoured cruisers under 20 years old.
- 38 small cruisers under 20 years old.
- 144 destroyers under 12 years old.
It is understood that the numbers will be adjusted to those of the Fleet Law after 1920 as ships become due for replacement. There is a provision in the Law by which money assigned to any ship can be spent on any other ship. I do not know of any case of retardation, but if by acceleration is meant that the construction of t lie vessel has been completed before the beginning of the financial year in which part of the money assigned is voted, then such acceleration has taken place.
- 39 battleships.
- 19 armoured cruisers
- 44 small cruisers.
- 144 destroyers.