41. Mr. F. HALL (Dulwich)asked if arrangements had yet been made for the construction of the battleships and battleship cruisers included in the 1914–15 building programme; how many of these will be built in the Admiralty yards and how many under contract; and which of the ships will be constructed for the use of oil fuel?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe proposed allocation of the battleships of this year's programme is shown on pages 234 and 238 of the current Navy Estimates issued in March last. As I informed the House on the 21st May last, orders for the two contract-built ships have already been placed. It is not the practice of this or any other country to publish the details of battleship designs at so early a stage of their construction.