HC Deb 04 April 1928 vol 215 c1940
11. Mr. A. M. WILLIAMS

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Government of New Zealand has offered to make any additional contribution to Imperial Defence and, if so, of what nature?

The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Bridgeman)

In 1924 the New Zealand Government undertook the entire maintenance of the oil-burning cruiser "Dunedin" in place of the coal-burning cruiser "Chatham," which they had been maintaining since 1920. In 1925 the New Zealand Government further undertook the entire maintenance of a second oil-burning cruiser, the "Diomede." Quite recently, as stated in my speech introducing the Navy Estimates, New Zealand has made the generous contribution of £1,000,000, to be paid in eight instalments, towards the construction of the dock at Singapore. I was wrong in saying that New Zealand was to maintain an additional cruiser. It is anticipated that when the existing cruisers are eventually withdrawn they will be replaced by two B Class cruisers to be wholly maintained by New Zealand.

Mr. ERNEST BROWN

Is there still a British cruiser in addition to the New Zealand cruiser at the Island of Samoa?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

I would rather have notice of that question. I do not think so.