§ 23. Mr. Thorneasked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the naval base at Singapore will be finished; how much money has been spent up to the nearest available date; what was the total estimate; and whether there has been any difficulty in obtaining iron and steel at the present time for this work?
Mr. LindsayIt is anticipated that the base will be ready for general use in the financial year 1939. The expenditure up to the end of January, 1937, is £5,856,000; the total estimate is £11,211,750. No difficulty has been experienced up to the present in obtaining iron and steel required for the work.
Mr. AlexanderDoes that revised figure include the expansion of the dock facilities to take double the number of capital ships?
§ Mr. George GriffithsWill the base be completed before or after the next war?
§ Mr. H. G. WilliamsCould the hon. Gentleman say whether the Admiralty records show why all hon. Members opposite opposed its continuation in 1924?