§ 18. Mr. Boothbyasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is proposed to reconstruct the whole of the "Queen Elizabeth" class of battleships; and, if so, by what date the reconstruction of all five ships will have been completed?
Mr. CooperTwo of the ships have completed large repairs with considerable alterations and additions. The third has been extensively modernised, and new machinery has been installed. The other two ships of the class are at present in hand for similar modernisation. The dates of their completion must depend on the progress of the work.
§ Mr. ThorneAre the two ships that are already in hand to be between 42,000 and 43,000 tons?
Mr. CooperI am referring to the ships of the "Queen Elizabeth" class. Their weight has not been increased by the improvements made.
§ Mr. BoothbyIn view of the international situation, will my right hon. Friend do everything in his power to expedite the completion of the reconstruction of these vessels?
§ Mr. ThorneIs it not true to say that the two ships being built range from 42,000 to 43,000 tons?
§ Mr. Garro JonesCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether large repairs or extensive modernisation represents to a great degree the necessary alterations?
Mr. CooperIn one of the ships new machinery is being installed, much more than in the first two ships, and the latter two ships are also having new machinery installed.