26. Sir GILBERT PARKERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there has been any development of dockyard facilities since Admiral Sir Reginald Henderson's Report was presented; and whether the dockyards are suited to the construction of cruisers and destroyers; and, if so, are cruisers and destroyers being built in these docks at the present time?
Mr. HARCOURTI have no information regarding any development of dockyard facilities in the Commonwealth of Australia since the presentation of Admiral Sir Reginald Henderson's Report. Arrangements have already been made by the Commonwealth Government for the construction, in the New South Wales Government dockyard, of a second-class cruiser and three destroyers which, I understand, are now being built.
28. Sir G. PARKERasked whether the Australian Government has accepted Admiral Sir Reginald Henderson's naval defence scheme in its entirety or in part; and, in either case, what are the details of the scheme as to the construction of armoured, protected cruisers, destroyers, and submarines; what period the construction will cover; what will be the extent of the personnel; what will be the annual cost of maintenance; and what construction has been already entered upon and what, if any, completed?
Mr. HARCOURTI understand that the late Government of the Commonwealth of Australia approved the principles of Admiral Sir Reginald Henderson's scheme of naval defence and proposed to carry it into effect in due course. I have no information as to the views of the present Government with regard to this question. The scheme recommended by Sir Reginald Henderson contemplated the ultimate creation of a fleet of 8 armoured cruisers, 10 protected cruisers, 10 destroyers, and 12 submarines. The total period of construction was to be 22 years; when fully manned the fleet would require a personnel of 14,844 officers and men. The annual cost of maintenance when the full scheme was completed would be £2,226,000 for personnel, £1,226,000 for the maintenance of ships in commission. No construction has been specially undertaken under the scheme. There are at present being constructed in Australia, in accordance with the arrangements arrived at at the Imperial Naval and Military Conference of 1909, one second-class cruiser and three destroyers. None of these vessels have so far been completed. One destroyer which was shipped to Sydney in parts, was re-erected at the New South Wales Government Dockyard.