HC Deb 13 March 1911 vol 22 cc1857-8
Mr. CHIOZZA MONEY

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the aggregate expenditure upon new naval construction respectively by the United Kingdom and Germany in the three years 1908–9 to 1910–11?

Mr. McKENNA

The aggregate expenditure upon new naval construction, including armaments, for the three years 1008–9 to 1910–11. is as follows:—

United Kingdom £34,531,000
Germany £29,365,000

Mr. CHIOZZA MONEY

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what has been the increase of the naval personnel of the United Kingdom and of Germany, respectively, in 1910–11 as compared with 1904 5.

Mr. McKENNA

In the United Kingdom the numbers voted in 1910–1911 were 510 more than the numbers borne in 1904–05. The corresponding increase for Germany was 19,245.

Mr. CHIOZZA MONEY

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state upon what dates the German Naval Law of 1900 was amended and accelerated by subsequent enactments in order to secure the possession by Germany of twenty-one "Dreadnoughts" at or about the end of 1913; and if he will state precisely what was the provision made by those subsequent enactments?

Mr. McKENNA

The dates on which the German Naval Law of 1900 was amended are 5th June, 1906, and 18th April, 1908. That of June, 1906, increased the number of large cruisers to be built under the Fleet Law by six; that of April, 1908, increased the number of battleships by four. The effect of these two amendments was to increase the average estimated expenditure from the year 1908 to the year 1917 from £11,300,000 to £20,400,000, an increase of over nine millions a year.

Mr. ROBERT HARCOURT

Does the right hon. Gentleman accept the suggestion of the question as to "twenty-one 'Dreadnoughts' being ready in the calandar year 1913?

Mr. McKENNA

No, Sir.

Mr. CHIOZZA MONEY

There is no such arrangement.

Mr. McKENNA

I do not read the question to mean that.

Mr. CHIOZZA MONEY

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the actual naval expenditure of the United Kingdom for the years 1904–5 and 1910–11, respectively, comparing like with like by adding in each year the expenditure on naval works paid for by borrowing, if any, and by deducting in each year the interest on loans included in the gross expenditure?

Mr. McKENNA

The actual expenditure for the current year cannot be given until the accounts are closed. Comparing the actual net expenditure in 1904–05 with the estimated net expenditure in 1910–11, the figures are as follows:—

1904–05 £39,628,018
1910–11 £39,280,948

Mr. ROBERT HARCOURT

Is that the proper form in which expenditure should be given and compared?

Mr. McKENNA

Yes, Sir; it is one of the forms.

Mr. CHIOZZA MONEY

Do those figures not accurately compare like with like?

Mr. McKENNA

Yes; they are an accurate representation of what was net expenditure, whether out of loans or voted money.