§ 63. Mr. Noel-Bakerasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what ships of war are 855 under construction in the Royal Dockyards at the present time; and what further orders it is intended to give to the Royal Dockyards during the current financial year?
§ Mr. ShakespeareThere are at present under construction in the Royal Dockyards three cruisers, two submarines and five minesweepers, and the construction of two further cruisers and one submarine will be commenced in the dockyards next month. This will complete the approved allocation of warship construction to the Royal Dockyards for the current financial year, and may be accepted as the most favourable allocation practicable having regard to the very considerable volume of work, large repairs and refits, in hand and in prospect for these establishments.