§ 18. Commander SOUTHBYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the state of construction of the cruisers and destroyers authorised by the 1930 naval building programme; how much money has been actually spent upon each vessel; and will he state what the present position is regarding the vessels of the same classes authorised by the 1931 programme?
Mr. ALEXANDERThe work on the cruisers and destroyers of the 1930 programme has been advanced to the stage of preparation of the necessary drawings and materials prior to the actual laying down of the vessels, except for the destroyers "Dainty" and "Delight," which were laid down on 20th and 22nd April, 1931, respectively. His Majesty's Ship "Achilles" will be laid down on 11th June, 1931. I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT particulars of expenditure actually incurred on each vessel, but I would say that the amounts do not of course represent the full value of work done and material on order, but only payments made up to the end of May.
§ Commander SOUTHBYDoes the right hon. Gentleman mean that no keels of ships have been laid down yet of the 1930 programme?
Mr. ALEXANDERI have already indicated that keels for two destroyers were laid in April. As perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman's question is largely based upon reports of delay which have appeared in two newspapers, I may add that the whole of the work of the 1930 programme is right up to schedule and in accordance with the usual practice of the Admiralty of the day.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWill my right hon. Friend not allow himself to be driven by the Opposition into unnecessary expansion?
§ Commander SOUTHBYUpon what grounds has the right hon. Gentleman 992 formed his opinion that my question was based upon any newspaper report?
Mr. ALEXANDEROnly that it is significant that the question should be put down after the report had appeared.
§ The particulars are as follow:
| — | Ship. | Expenditure to 31st May, 1931. | ||
| £ | ||||
| Cruisers | … | Neptune | … | 11,948 |
| Orion | … | 11,180 | ||
| Achilles | … | 14,453 | ||
| Leader | … | Duncan | … | 1,201 |
| Destroyers | … | Defender | … | 12,043 |
| Diamond | … | 6,221 | ||
| Daring | … | 399 | ||
| Decoy | … | 400 | ||
| Delight | … | 4,052 | ||
| Dainty | … | 11,362 | ||
| Diana | … | 7,668 | ||
| Duchess | … | 398 |
§ In accordance with the usual practice none of the ships of the 1931 Programme will be ordered until towards the close of the financial year.