§ Mr. ASHLEYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the destroyers of the 1912–13 German programme were commenced last November; and what steps he proposes to take in order to secure that our destroyers of this year's programme are finished at the same time as those being built for Germany?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Churchill)There is no official information that the German destroyers of the 1912–13 programme have been commenced already. In November last a report appeared in the German Press that the Schichau works at Elbing had begun to build twelve destroyers of similar type to those now being built for the German Navy, but it, was also stated that these were being built on the firm's own account. It is presumed that these are the destroyers referred to. Tenders which are now being examined have already been obtained for the twenty British destroyers of the new programme, so that there need be no delay in beginning them, if and when the House of Commons sanctions their construction.
§ Mr. ASHLEYHas the right hon. Gentleman any reason to believe that these twelve destroyers are being built for any other Power except the German Empire?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have nothing to add to the answer which I have given.
Captain FABERasked whether any and, if so, how many keels of torpedo-boat destroyers have been laid down in the Schichau private works at Elbing during the last twelve months, and which Power has ordered them?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThirteen destroyers have been reported as laid down at 1341 Schichau's, Elbing, during 1911. One of these is for China. There is no official information as to the destination of the remainder.
Captain FABERCan the right hon. Gentleman state when he will know what other Powers those twelve destroyers are for?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am afraid that I cannot enter into the region of prophecy.
§ Mr. ASHLEYasked how many destroyers of the German 1910–11 programme were in commission by the end of 1911; how many British vessels of the same type and programme were then in commission; and how many are now in service?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThere were four British destroyers of the 1910–11 programme in commission at the end of 1911, and there are now seven vessels of that programme in service. The whole of the twelve German destroyers of the 1910–11 programme had commissioned for and completed their trials by the end of 1911. Eleven of these were formed into a flotilla on the 4th January, 1912.
§ Mr. ASHLEYWhy is it that the Germans could finish all their programme last year while we have only got seven out of our twenty completed at the present moment?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI provide information as to the facts; I cannot enter further into the subject, and must defer matters of explanation to the ordinary time.
§ Mr. ASHLEYSurely the House of Commons has a right to know why this great delay in our destroyer programme has taken place?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am always ready to give any information, but I do not think I ought to enter into an explanation in answer to a supplementary question. When a question is put down I see whether I can give a full answer, or I ask the House to wait until the Estimates come on for discussion.