HC Deb 26 April 1911 vol 24 cc1769-70
Mr. ASHLEY

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the total estimated sum that will remain to be spent on the armoured ships "Conqueror," "Monarch," "Thunderer," and "Princess Royal," at the end of the present financial year?

The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. McKenna)

The figures asked for are:—

"Conqueror" £114,527
"Monarch" 118,261
"Thunderer" 116,096
"Princess Royal" 169,033

Mr. ASHLEY

If more than half a million is to be spent on these ships after 31st March, how is it possible that the statement in the Estimates of 1909–10 can be fulfilled, namely, that they would be completed by 31st March, 1912?

Mr. McKENNA

We do not pay the last instalment for the ships until after they are completed. If they are completed on 31st March, 1912, the last instalment will not become due until afterwards, and consequently will fall in the next financial year.

Mr. ASHLEY

Is it expected that these ships will be completed by then?

Mr. McKENNA

As far as I am aware, they will be completed by 1912.

Mr. ASHLEY

asked whether the estimated first cost of the hull, fittings, and equipment of the battleship "Neptune" is shown in the 1911–12 Nary Estimates to be £835,627; that the actual expenditure to 31st March, 1910, is stated to have been £624,596, and that the probable expenditure in 1910–11 is placed at £162,807, making a total of £787,403; and what is the explanation of this discrepancy?

Mr. McKENNA

The difference between the totals quoted for the hull, fittings and equipment of His Majesty's ship "Neptune" represents the provisional anticipated saving on the dockyard estimates for the construction of the vessel. This explanation also applies in the case of the machinery, and a footnote indicating that savings are anticipated on the total estimates for dockyard work for the vessel appears on page 196 of the 1911–12 Navy Estimates.

Mr. ASHLEY

Then you hope to save about £50,000?

Mr. McKENNA

Yes, on the original estimate—and on the estimate revised in the sense in which the word "revised" is used, we hope to save £50,000.