§ 17. Mr. CLARRYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the last available comparative costs of battleship construction as between Government and privately-owned dockyards, together with any difference in time required for construction?
§ Commander EYRES-MONSELLThe latest battleships for which a comparison of costs can be made are the vessels of the "Queen Elizabeth" class, where the completed costs compare as follows:
| Dockyard-built ships: | ||
| £ | ||
| "Queen Elizabeth " | … | 2,473,103 |
| "Warspite" | … | 2,524,148 |
| Contract-built ships: | ||
| "Barham" | … | 2,470,113 |
| "Valiant" | … | 2,537,037 |
§ As regards the time required for building, there was a difference of about four months in favour of the dockyards, but the whole of the class were constructed very rapidly.
§ Commander BELLAIRSAre those figures prepared on the same basis in regard to overhead charges, depreciation, and rates?
§ Commander EYRES - MONSELLYes, they include everything.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEMay I take it that the House may conclude that shipbuilding in the Royal Dockyards is much cheaper than shipbuilding in private yards?
§ Commander EYRES-MONSELLNo, there is very little in it.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH - COOKEIs it greater or less?
§ Mr. MAXTONDo the figures given include overhead charge for private profit in the dockyard as well?
§ Commander EYRES-MONSELLThese figures are strictly comparable.