§ 51. Rear-Admiral BEAMISHasked the Prime Minister if he is in a position to make a statement in regard to the introduction of a Supplementary Estimate for the Navy?
§ 52 Commander BELLAIRSasked the Prime Minister whether he can now make a statement on the shipbuilding programme; and when the Supplementary Estimates will be issued?
§ 53. Commander COCHRANEasked the Prime. Minister whether he can make a statement in regard to the deferred naval shipbuilding programme and as to the requirements of successive years?
§ 54. Sir CYRIL COBBasked the Prime Minister whether any decision Has been come to on naval construction, and when such decision will be announced?
§ 55. Mr. PENNYasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the necessity of the Navy for cruisers and smaller craft, and the relief which will be given to unemployment by placing the necessary contracts, he will bring on the Supplementary Estimates at an early date?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI shall answer these questions together. As already stated, I hope that it will be possible to make an announcement on this subject shortly.
§ Major HORE-BELISHAWhat does the light hon. Gentleman mean by the words "very shortly"? He has been saying that for a very long time.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not think-that I used the adverb before.
§ Rear-Admiral BEAMISHIs my right hon. Friend aware that the delay is causing very considerable and widespread anxiety?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt is in some circles, I know, but I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that this is the first time for many years that a complete survey has been undertaken as to a programme covering many years of replacement of a great part of the Fleet, and it is work which could not be done quickly.
§ Commander BELLAIRSIs my right hon. Friend aware that his predecessors said exactly the same thing? They were taking a wide survey as well.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have no knowledge of what my predecessors did.
§ Brigadier-General Sir HENRY CROFTIn view of the fact that if naval construction 598 is proceeded with it would be a tremendous help to the industries of this country, can the matter be speeded up?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI undertook in an early part of the Session that a statement would be made in time, so that if it were necessary to get a Supplementary Estimate it could be got.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWhen the right hon. Gentleman talks about the first time that there has been a complete survey, does he mean to say that the Estimates which he introduced when previously in office were introduced without a complete survey?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI think that perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend misunderstood me. The practice, far too often in the past, has been to discuss each year what the construction shall be, and it is many years since a plan of construction for a period of years has been definitely laid down.
§ Major HORE-BELISHADoes the right hon. Gentleman not recollect that in his speech at Plymouth he foreshadowed a programme for 12 years ahead?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe hon. and gallant Gentleman may remember that I was put out of action very shortly afterwards.
§ Commander FANSHAWEWill the Prime Minister undertake not to postpone the commencement of the approved cruiser programme, especially in view of the fact that, if this is done, we shall be building cruisers at the same time as we are building replacement battleships under the Washington Agreement, which would cause a heavy financial burden to the country?
§ 82. Major HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Government have yet reached any conclusion as to overtaking arrears in naval construction?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Bridgeman)This matter is still under consideration.
§ Mr. THURTLEIn considering this matter, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the Earl of Oxford has already declared our present naval expenditure to be excessive?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThere are other expert advisers to whom I think I should pay more attention.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYHow is it that the expert advisers, apart from the Earl of Oxford, are taking such a long time to come to a conclusion? What is the cause of the delay?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANIf the hon. and gallant Gentleman is referring to my expert advisers, there has been no delay.
§ 84. Mr. LOOKERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is satisfied that the programme of new construction sanctioned for this year adequately provides for the units necessary to safeguard British subjects and British interests in all parts of the world?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe Admiralty have put forward a programme of new construction, which has not yet received the sanction of the Government. I cannot, therefore, express an opinion on the question which my hon. Friend asks.
§ Mr. LOOKERCan the right hon. Gentleman inform us if that aspect of new construction has been fully put before the Cabinet?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANYes.