§ 32. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the names of the five cruisers building for the United States of America, as stated in the Return of Fleets (Cmd. 2809); and whether the failure of the American Congress to approve of appropriations for three cruisers this year affects these figures?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANTwo only of the cruisers building have been given names, namely, No. 24, "Pensacola," and No. 25, "Salt Lake City"; the names of Nos. 26, 27 and 28 have not yet been reported. As regards the second part of the question, Congress has appropriated 450,000 dollars for commencement of Nos. 29, 30 and 31, the three remaining cruisers of the 1924 programme, the Bill having been signed by the President on 2nd March, 1927.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Congress rose without appropriating for these cruisers, and will he make inquiries again of his Intelligence Department as to the accuracy of this?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI will certainly make further inquiries, but should be rather glad to have a little evidence from the hon. and gallant Gentleman.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYThis is in the ordinary Press messages in the newspapers.