§ Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how long it has been the practice to divide Vote 8 of the Navy Estimates into three separate sections, requiring three separate questions in Committee of Supply; and whether he will take steps in the future to abandon these sections, so that all questions germane to the whole subject could be raised?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)Vote 8 of the Navy Estimates was established in its present form in 1888–89, prior to which date shipbuilding, repairs, and maintenance of the fleet was provided for under four Votes. The three sections of Vote 8 usually form a very large proportion of the aggregate of Navy Votes—this year they amuont to nearly £23,000,000, or over 50 per cent. of the total of the Votes—and I presume that it would not be the wish of the House that the whole of this should be voted in one sum. Ample opportunity is now afforded for the discussion of the whole shipbuilding policy of the Government—dockyard and contract—and this would not be increased by the adoption of the hon. Member's proposal.