§ 20. Captain GARRO-JONESasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can indicate any directions in which his promised economies are taking effect?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI will, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, circulate full particulars in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ The particulars are as follow:
§ Among the steps which have been taken by the Admiralty to effect a reduction in naval expenditure are the following:
§ A. Fleet Reductions.
- (a) Cruisers and Destroyers.—H.M.S. "Southampton," "Chatham" and "Dublin" and 18 destroyers have been placed on the disposal list, and a further 15 destroyers will be similarly dealt with in the next financial year. H.M.S. "Calliope" has been withdrawn from the 2nd Cruiser Squadron, which will in future consist of four ships instead of five as hitherto; and one of the destroyer flotillas attached to the Atlantic Fleet (7th) is now being reduced to a reserve basis.
- (b) Destroyer Depot Ships.— All destroyer depot ships, except H.M.S. "Sandhurst" (which will be retained in full commission on the Mediterranean Station) and H.M.S. "Greenwich" (which will be brought home and placed in reserve) are to be abolished. Arrangements are being made for the following five depot ships to be placed on the disposal list forthwith:—"Blenheim," "Diligence," "Dido," "Woolwich," and "Hecla."
- (c) Submarines K 2, K 6, K 12, K14, and K 22 are being scrapped, and the complement of H.M.S. "Conquest," employed as a Submarine Flotilla Leader, is being reduced to a three-fifths basis.
- (d) Tenders to Harbour Establishments.—Considerable reductions are being effected in the number of tenders attached to Harbour Training Establishments at the Home Ports, involving the withdrawal of 5 destroyers, 2 minesweepers, 1 monitor, 2 submarines. 3 trawlers, and 1 drifter.
- (e) Coastal Motor Boat Base.— The Coastal Motor Boat Establishment at Haslar is being abolished, and only a small flotilla of 6 coastal motor boats will be retained for experimental purposes.
§ B. Reductions of Dockyards.
§ The Admiralty have decided, with the concurrence of the Cabinet, that the 353 dockyards at Rosyth and Pembroke should be reduced to a care and maintenance basis. They will be kept in such a, condition as would permit of their being re-opened in time of emergency.
§ C. Reductions in Stores.
§ Certain reductions in various classes of stores have been approved, and a policy of "slowing down" the accumulation of reserves has been adopted.
§ D. Reductions in Complements.
§ Complements of His Majesty's ships have been under review, and certain changes tending to economy have been approved.
§ E. Miscellaneous.
§ A modified programme of the development of overseas wireless telegraph stations, which will effect some economy, has been approved.
§ The Special Reserve of Engineer Officers has been abolished and the Special Reserve of Royal Marine Officers has been considerably reduced.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESWould the right hon. Gentleman simply state whether that statement contains account of any economies within the Admiralty itself, or whether the economies are all at the expense of combatant officers and dockyardsmen?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe dockyards have an administrative staff.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESWill the right hon. Gentleman answer my question, in which I asked him whether any of these economies concerning administrative staffs were in the Admiralty itself?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI do not think that those so far announced do include it, except perhaps Rosyth and Pembroke, but the hon. and gallant Gentleman must not imagine that what I am telling him in this answer comprises the whole of the economies that are being considered and are likely to be carried out.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESWill the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that the Admiralty will not be overlooked, as public opinion is that there is more scope for economies in the Admiralty than in any other part of the Service?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI do not know what the public opinion is, but it is perfectly obvious that will not be overlooked in any search for economies.