§ 25. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is able to make any further statement about continuing the construction of the battleship base at Singapore?
Mr. ALEXANDERI am unable to add anything to the reply I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend on 30th April, [OFFICIAL REPORT, Column 183.]
§ Rear-Admiral BEAMISHIs it correct to describe the base at Singapore as a battleship base? Is it not a naval base for all classes of ships?
Mr. ALEXANDERThe base is, of course, a naval base. It was intended as a naval base, but the hon. and gallant Member knows as well as anyone in the House that one of the great arguments in favour of the base has been the need of providing docking accommodation in that area for battleships.
§ Rear-Admiral BEAMISHDoes not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is not intended primarily as a battleship base?