42 and 43. Mr. FRED HALL (Dulwich)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty (42) if he will state what was the period which elapsed in the case of the most recently launched "Dreadnought," armoured-cruiser, destroyer, and submarine, respec- 1832 tively, between the date when Parliament made provision for the expenditure and the dates when the vessels were placed in commission; how many vessels of each of the classes named it is now proposed to lay down beyond those for which Estimates have been already submitted; and what is the date by which this additional programme should be completed to meet the acceleration and increase in the building proposals of other nations; and (43) if he will say when it is proposed to place before Parliament the further Supplementary Naval Estimates required to carry out the present Naval Programme; and how much of such Estimates will be ear-marked for shipbuilding, additional men, and increased rates of pay for seamen, respectively?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)I can only refer the hon. Member to the full statement made by the First Lord of the Admiralty last week when introducing the Supplementary Estimates.