§ 25. Sir CHARLES CAYZERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the large orders which have been secured in recent years by foreign shipyards from foreign Governments for torpedo-boat destroyers and similar classes of light war vessels; and whether, in view of the fact that these orders are obtained largely through the high speeds notified as having been obtained by the light war vessels of certain foreign powers at their trials, he will give instructions that will permit of a full-power test of suitable vessels of the Royal Navy taking place under service conditions with a view to demonstrating that the performance of British-built war vessels is in no way inferior to that of any other Power?
Mr. ALEXANDERMy information does not go to show that speed is the determining factor in the award of contracts for foreign warship building, nor do I believe that the ability of British designers to produce speeds as high as may be desired is in any doubt, either here or abroad. As regards the last part of the question, all new vessels before acceptance into the Royal Navy carry out a complete series of trials at different speeds, including trials at full power, to show their capacity to fulfil the conditions of their design.
§ Mr. ROSSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Italian yards got by far the largest proportion of orders for foreign war vessels and have published some very high speeds recently; and does he not think that that may have some bearing on the situation?
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYHas the First Lord any information showing that foreign Governments are subsidising their shipbuilding yards for the construction of warships?
§ Sir C. CAYZERIs it not a fact that the ships of the Royal Navy are running trials without the full speed tests and only up to the designed horse-power, and will not the right hon. Gentleman arrange for full-power tests?
Mr. ALEXANDERI wish to make the position quite clear. There is no question at all that we are not conducting proper periodical full-speed tests in Royal Navy ships. That is done regularly, and there ought to be no misapprehension about that. As regards the question put by the hon. Member for Londonderry (Mr. Ross), I dare say that high speeds may be got in certain trials, but such trials have always to be judged by the conditions under which they are run, whether under light draught or other conditions. There is no doubt at all in the minds of the people of other countries as so our capacity for coming up to speed. In regard to the question put to me by the hon. and gallant Member for Central Full (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) I have no further information beyond that which I gave to the House on a former occasion.
§ 21. Rear-Admiral BEAMISH (for Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLE)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether 1617 he is aware of the effect of limited fuel consumption in diminishing the value of Fleet manœuvres; and whether he will arrange for the resumption of full-speed tests of British naval vessels?
Mr. ALEXANDERAs regards the first part of the question, every effort is made to prevent the economies which in these times it is essential to practise being detrimental to the effieciency of the Fleet. The latter part of the question is not understood.