§ 21. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what vessels of war and auxiliaries are at present under construction for His Majesty's Fleet; and what will have been their total cost when completed?
§ Mr. AMERYThirty-two ships and vessels are at present under construction, details of which I will, with the hon. I and gallant Member's permission, circu- 1311 late in the OFFICIAL KEPORT. It IS estimated that their total cost when completed (including guns) will be about £20,500,000. This figure, of course, represents a programme which has been carried out over a considerable number of years.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYAre we, in connection with the vessels still under construction, taking into account the Washington Agreement? Will that not make a difference?
§ Mr. AMERYNone of these are capital ships. They are cruisers and other smaller craft, many of which have been under construction since 1917.
§ The details promised are us follow:
- 7 Light Cruisers.
- 6 Torpedo Boat Destroyers.
- 8 Submarines.
- 6 Coastal Motor Boats.
- 1 Minelayer.
- 2 Flotilla Leaders.
- 2 Aircraft Carriers.