§ 6. Rear-Admiral SUETERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the annual cost for the care and maintenance of all the capital ships allowed under the Washington agreement when in full commission, reduced commission, and in dockyard hands for large repairs?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANAs the answer contains a number of figures I will, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ The annual cost of maintaining typical Capital Ships in full commission, in reduced commission and in Dockyard Control for large repairs is shown below. These figures have been prepared for private ships, i.e., other than flagships:
| £ | |
| Full commission: | |
| "Nelson" Class | 360,000 |
| "Queen Elizabeth" Class | 305,000 |
| "Royal Sovereign" Class | 301,000 |
| "Repulse" Class (Battle Cruiser) | 330,000 |
| "Iron Duke" Class (in reduced commission as Boys' Training Ship) | 229,000 |
| Battleship in Dockyard Control for large repairs | 6,500 |
§ The figures for an "Iron Duke" Class battleship in reduced commission do not include the cost of the Boys 1st Class borne for training, amounting to £27,500; those for a battleship in dockyard hands do not include the cost of large repairs but only that of the naval personnel maintained on board. In connection with this last figure, I should explain that the cost of care and maintenance of a Capital Ship in Dockyard hands for large repairs may vary considerably according to the extent to which officers and men of the crew are retained for refitting purposes.