§ 8. Mr. FENBY (for Sir ROBERT THOMAS)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, seeing that the refitting of H.M.S. "Hood" is to cost £276,742, of H.M.S. "Iron Duke" £285,868, of H.M.S. "Valiant" £510,983, and repairs and alterations to the aircraft carrier "Glorious" £2,137,374, he will explain why it is proposed to incur such expense in the refitting of these ships; and what ratio the repairs to the "Glorious" bear to the original cost of the ship?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMThe reason for the repair of the battleships is that they may continue to fulfil their service as efficient units of the Fleet. A large part of the cost of the "Valiant" is due to her being fitted with bulges for underwater protection. The "Glorious" was originally constructed as a cruiser, and is being converted to an aircraft carrier. It is consequently not possible to give an estimate of the cost of the repairs alone, apart from the work essential to her conversion.