§ Mr. BURGOYNEasked whether orders have as yet been given for the construction of the armoured vessels provided by Australia and New Zealand; and, if so, when they were laid down, and what names have been allotted to them?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe orders have been placed. The ships are to be laid down on 23rd June and to-day respectively. No names have yet been allotted to them.
§ Mr. BURGOYNEasked whether orders have yet been given for all the destroyers of the present programme, inclusive of the three vessels destined for service in New Zealand waters; and, if so, where they are to be built, and what names have been allotted to them?
§ Mr. McKENNAOrders have been placed provisionally for the vessels referred to, except for the three destined for service in New Zealand waters, as follows:—
Names have not yet been allotted to them.
Clyde district 8 Tyne district 5 Southampton and Isle of Wight district 4 Barrow and Birkenhead district 3
§ Mr. BURGOYNEWill the right hon. Gentleman tell me when these three ships are likely to be ordered?
§ Mr. McKENNAI could not state at this moment the precise date, but the orders will be given in time for the vessels to go out with the rest of the ships in 1912.