§ 13. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is intended to proceed with the construction of the new naval fortified base, dockyard and arsenal at Singapore in view of the financial situation?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo alteration is contemplated in the decision taken last year to postpone all expenditure upon completing the equipment of the docks and for defence works. In arriving at this decision, which was in accord with the recommendations of the Imperial Conference, full consideration was given to the urgent need for economy.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right. hon. Gentleman not aware that the situation to-day is very different from what it was on the last occasion, over a year ago, and are we to go on with this £10,000,000 scheme?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINYes, I am aware that the situation is worse than it was 12 months ago, but the question of how far you can make economies, and whether any economy would be made by stopping these contracts, was fully considered at that time.