§ 5. Mr. LOUIS SMITHasked the First Lord of the Admiralty by what date the Singapore base will be completed if the work is continued at the present rate; and by what date it is intended to station a naval squadron permanently at Singapore?
The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Sir Bolton Eyres Monsell)As already stated, it is expected that the Jackson contract will be completed by September, 1935, and having regard to the progress 1745 made, no reason is seen why all the work included in the total estimate could not be completed by the end of four years after that date, subject, of course, to the necessary financial provision being made in the Estimates of those years. As regards the second part of the question, Singapore will be used as a fuelling, storing and repair base, but there is no present intention of permanently stationing a squadron there. The base is within the limits of the China Command.
§ Mr. SMITHMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, having regard to the general situation in the East, he will consider bringing about some acceleration in the progress?