§ 14. Mr. EMRYS-EVANSasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when the destroyer flotilla of the 1935 programme will be laid down?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Lord Stanley)As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, orders have now been placed for the flotilla leader and eight destroyers of the 1935 programme, and they will be laid down during the course of the next few months. In addition, it is proposed to order a further flotilla of seven vessels later in the financial year, after a Supplementary Estimate has been presented. As explained in the White Paper, a Supplementary Navy Estimate will be presented to Parliament at a later date to deal with the excess on Navy Vote A, and the additional expenditure resulting from certain special measures which have been found necessary. Provision will be made in this Supplementary Estimate for the further flotilla and also for some small vessels which have recently been ordered for the Royal Navy as additions to the 1935 programme.
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERDo I understand that the Admiralty are going to order, in the current financial year, seven additional destroyers which have never yet been included in the Estimates?
Lord STANLEYThat is our proposed course of action, and we are going to submit a Supplementary Estimate to the House.
§ Mr. D. L. DAVIESWill the Noble Lord tell the House whether it is the intention of the authorities to make provision for dual firing in these ships?