§ 7. Mr. MIDDLEMOREasked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the orders were placed for the destroyers of the 1912–13 programme; what were the contract dates for the completion of the several vessels; and how many of these so far completed were delivered within the contract period allowed by the contract?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLOrders were placed for twenty boats, sixteen in March, 1912, and four in May of the same year. The contract dates were in all cases except two for delivery of the boats at the end of the year 1913, these two being due in February and March of the present year. Of nine boats which have actually been delivered three were delivered within their contract periods.