§ 12. Viscount CURZONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty to what firms the principal contracts have been awarded in connection with the building of the two new capital ships; and what will be the total cost of the ships?
§ 17. Lieut.-Colonel STOTTasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the 2909 contracts for the two battleships about to be constructed will be placed on the basis of the lowest tender, or whether other considerations will be taken into account; and, if so, will he state what the considerations are, so that shipbuilders on the Mersey may be given an equal chance with builders at other ports?
§ Mr. AMERYThe two lowest tenders for the battleships have been accepted. One ship will be built on the Tyne by Sir W. G. Armstrong, Whitworth and Company, the machinery being made by the Wallsend Slipway and Engineering Company. The other will be built by Cammell, Laird and Company, on the Mersey. As regards the total cost, I am not at present in a position to add anything to the reply given by the Parliamentary Secretary, on the 7th December, to the hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. Rhys Davies).
§ Mr. LEACHWill the right hon. Gentleman see that the money for the building of these two ships is obtained by means of a capital levy?