§ 45. Major HORE-BELISHAasked the Prime Minister whether he can now state the decision of the Cabinet upon the naval shipbuilding programme; whether he is aware that, unless the plans of construction deemed by him to be necessary in his speech at Plymouth in October, 1923, are undertaken, there will be unemployment in the near future in His Majesty's dockyards and other shipbuilding centres: and whether, in these circumstances, he will expedite the undertaking of the programme foreshadowed by him on the date mentioned above?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)I cannot, add anything to the answer which I gave on the 28th April, in reply to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Maidstone (Commander Bellairs).
§ The PRIME MINISTERI gave an undertaking that the results of the deliberations of the Committee should be made public this Session. While I am always delighted to answer my hon. and gallant Friend's questions, I am afraid that their repetition will neither expedite nor impede the consideration of the matter.
§ Captain WEDGWOOD BENNDid not the right hon. Gentleman's party last year urge in Debate that new construction was very urgently needed eight or 10 cruisers?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is quite true, but no one will recognise more than the hon. and gallant Gentleman that circumstances as to the rapidity with which construction should proceed change from year to year.
§ Commander BELLAIRSAs the naval programme may involve a very large sum 2013 of money, may we have the results of the deliberations of the Cabinet before the Second Reading of the Finance Bill?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not think that that is necessary. As my hon. and gallant Friend will remember, undertook that the results of the Committee's deliberations should be announced in sufficient time to enable any necessary Estimate to be taken before the House rises.