10. Mr. FREDERICK HALL (Dulwich)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what amount was spent by Germany in 1912 on airships and aeroplanes for naval purposes and for buildings and equipment in connection therewith; what amount is provided in the German Naval Estimates of 1913 for the same purposes; what were the amounts provided and actually spent under these heads by Great Britain in 1912–13; and what expenditure is proposed in 1913–14?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe amount provided in the German Navy Estimates for the financial year 1912–13 for airships and aeroplanes for naval purposes and for buildings and equipment in connection therewith was £114,970. Information as to the actual expenditure is not available. The corresponding amount provided for 1913–14 is £183,464, but it is stated in the Press that a Supplementary Estimate is to be proposed amounting to £146,771, which would bring the total for 1913–14 to £330,235. As regards Great Britain, the amount provided in the Navy Estimates for 1912–13 was £141,150, the amount expended in that year being approximately 1150 £183,800. The amount provided for 1913–14 is £321,620. I am not prepared to say that the actual figure is necessarily the final figure for British expenditure.
Mr. F. HALLDo I understand that the right hon. Gentleman states that the actual figures may not be taken as the final figures, and is the House to understand that if necessary he will come down for additional Estimates for the aerial service?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe hon. Gentleman may rely on our taking all steps that are necessary.
11. Mr. F. HALLasked if there are at the present time in the possession of the German Government any dirigible airships of the rigid type capable of a speed of 40 miles an hour or over, of flying 500 miles or more without requiring to descend, and equipped with guns and bomb-dropping apparatus; if so, what is the number of such ships constructed or in course of construction; and how many airships of equal value are in the possession of, or have been laid down for, the British Navy?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThere are no rigid airships of this value in the possession of the British Navy at the present time. Two airships almost capable of the above performances will be in the possession of the Admiralty in the course of the next month or so. There are no rigid airships built or building as yet for the British Navy.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI could not speak with absolute certainty respecting the performances of vessels which I have never seen, and no person connected with the Admiralty has ever seen, and the details of which are kept most carefully secret by the foreign Governments concerned.
13. Mr. F. HALLasked what number of dirigible airships of the rigid type for naval purposes is proposed to be constructed in 1913–14, and the dimensions, speed, and carrying capacity of the same?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe question of the construction of rigid airships for naval purposes is now under consideration. It is not considered advisable at present to give any information as to their probable numbers or dimensions.