HC Deb 01 December 1920 vol 135 cc1215-6
19. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can give the House any information regarding the Naval construction programmes of the United States of America and Japan, specifying in each case the number of ships laid down and the class to which they belong?

Sir J. CRAIG

As the answer is a long one, perhaps the hon. Gentleman will allow me to publish it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The following answer is supplied:

As regards the United States of America, in 1916 the United States Congress authorised a three years' programme —also in 1917, 250 destroyers and 30 submarines were authorised as a war measure.

The ships authorised by both measures are as under:—

Battleships 10
Battle Cruisers 6
Light Cruisers 10
Destroyers 300
Submarines about 97

Of the above the following are now under construction, together with one battleship belonging to the 1915 programme, the remainder having been completed:—

Battleships 11
Battle Cruisers 6
Light Cruisers 10
Destroyers 63
Submarines 54
Gunboats 1

Japan has on hand (a) the balance of an old programme due for completion in 1923–24, and (b) a new programme due for completion in 1927–28.

(a) The residue of the old programme is:—

Battleships 4
Battle Cruisers 4
Light Cruisers 11
Destroyers 41

(b) The new programme provides for:—

Battleships 4
Battle Cruisers 4
Light Cruisers 12
Destroyers 30 to 40

The number of ships laid down, including those completing, in so far as is reported, is: —

Battleships 4
Battle Cruisers Nil
Light Cruisers 5
Destroyers (at least) 8

With regard to submarines, there is no official information available.

The figures in both cases are those reported up to the end of September, 1920.