§ 7. Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty why the sum of £168,380 is shown as being spent on His Majesty's Ship "Dartmouth," in view of the age of this vessel and the proposal to scrap immediately three cruisers of a similar class; how much has been spent on repairs to His Majesty's ships "Chatham" and "Dublin" during the last two years; whether these repairs made these vessels efficient for sea service; and why it is proposed to scrap them immediately after this expenditure?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Davidson)The work on "Dartmouth" to which the estimated expenditure of £168,380 relates was commenced in September, 1924, and was well advanced before it was decided as one of the special measures of economy to scrap other ships of approximately similar age and type. This large refit will enable the "Dartmouth" to remain an efficient unit of the Fleet for five more years. The expenditure incurred on annual upkeep to "Chatham" and "Dublin" during the last two years amounts to £11,160 on "Chatham" and £13,190 on "Dublin." Provision was made in the 1925–26 Navy Estimates for commencing "large repairs" to both these ships, but owing to the decision to scrap them the work so provided for was not proceeded with.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYHas the work of preparing the "Chatham" and the "Dublin" been commenced?