§ 14 Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what has been the total cost involved in creating the naval base at Rosyth; and what features in Rosyth required for the maintenance of a fleet in wartime will be lacking in the projected naval base and dockyard at Singapore?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Amery)The total cost of the construction of the naval base at Rosyth and its appurtenances for land, permanent works and machinery was £11,335,207. The principal features of the Rosyth establishment not reproduced for the projected scheme for Singapore are one lock, two graving docks, one tidal basin for submarines, and one tidal basin and depot for destroyers. I would, however, warn the hon. and gallant Member against drawing any comparisons between the two, as the local conditions that have to be met, as well as the cost of labour and materials which are widely different.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYDoes that mean that, owing to the increased size of the ships and the greater distance, the same facilities at Singaport will cost more than at Rosyth? Is that the meaning of the kindly warning of the right hon. Gentleman?
§ Mr. AMERYThe docks are for larger ships, and the general cost of material and Labour has gone up since Rosyth was taken in hand.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYDoes it mean that the same facilities at Singapore will cost more than Rosyth?