§ Mr. BURGOYNEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has information regarding twelve destroyers now being constructed in Germany for unnamed owners; whether these vessels are being built at the instigation of the Government in advance of the German 1912–13 programme; and what steps he proposes to take to meet a precedent calculated to upset international naval calculations?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have nothing to add to the full reply I gave to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for the Blackpool Division of Lancashire on Wednesday last.
§ Mr. ASHLEYAre we to understand that the English twenty destroyers of the 1912–13 programme will be put out to tender directly the House sanctions their construction?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLYes, Sir; no time has been lost. The tenders were asked for in December. They have come in, and they are going through a long process of careful examination that I expect will be completed by the middle of this month; and by that time I shall probably have made my statement on the Naval Estimates. I think therefore no time will be lost whatever in making progress at once.
§ Mr. ASHLEYThen are we to understand these twenty destroyers will be begun directly the sanction of this House is given to their commencement?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIt will be possible to do so if it is considered necessary. Meanwhile, no time is being lost.
§ Mr. R. HARCOURTWould they be begun in March or not till the Shipbuilding Vote in July?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI certainly contemplate being able to commence construction as soon as the House sanctions it.