HC Deb 14 March 1910 vol 15 cc15-6
Mr. CHARLES CRAIG

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what had been the actual cost of H.M.S. "Swift" up to date; what were the estimated amounts voted for her construction for each year since her commencement compared with the actual amounts expended each year; what had been the reason for the protracted delays in her construction; and whether it was intended to build any more vessels of the same class?

The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. McKenna)

The actual cost of H.M.S. "Swift" up to date is £229,102.

Estimated amounts voted for her construction:—

1905–6 … … … £8,857
1906–7 … … … 123,296
1907–8 … … … 211,240
1908–9 … … … 74,076
1909–10 … … … 33,695

Actual amounts expended:—

1906–7 … … … £33,313
1907–8 … … … 150,027
1908–9 … … … 24,468
1909–10 … … … 9,909
1910–11 … … … 11,385

The protracted delays in the construction of this vessel have been due to failure on the part of the contractors to realise the very high speed stipulated for, a speed going considerably beyond the current experience at the time of making the contract, and the persistent and long-continued efforts on the part of the contractors to realise that speed. With regard to the last part of the question, no vessels of the same class are included in the Estimates for 1910–11.