§ 16. Commander SOUTHBYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how much money has actually been spent on each of the three cruisers authorised by the 1930 building programme; in each case whether the ship has yet been laid down, what is the state of its construction or on what date it will be laid down, and the date on which each of the destroyer-leader and eight destroyers of the 1930 programme was ordered or when will the orders be given; and how much money will actually have been expended before the close of the financial year on the 1930 naval programme?
§ Mr. AMMONThe amounts reported as actually expended to date on the three cruisers of the 1930 new programme are as follow:
Neptune at Portsmouth Dockyard, and Orion at Devonport Dockyard, will probably be laid down during August or September, 1931. Achilles was ordered 2108 from Messrs. Cammell Laird and Company, on 16th February, 1931, and the date of laying down is not known. The date of order of the Flotilla Leader Duncan (to be built at Portsmouth Dockyard) was 14th February, 1931, and orders for the eight destroyers to be built by contract were placed on 2nd February, 1931. It is estimated that the amount that will be spent by the end of the current financial year on the 1930 programme is £13,175.
£ Neptune … … … 950 Orion … … … 480 Achilles … … … 480
§ Commander SOUTHBYIn view of the present situation of unemployment, is it not advisable to expedite this programme so as to give work?
§ Mr. AMMONIt is being pushed forward as quickly as possible, following the practice which has been adopted for a number of years of beginning the programme towards the end of the financial year.
§ Mr. ROSSWill the hon. Gentleman undertake not to reproach any subsequent Government for having spent money on armaments?