§ 46. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the estimated total cost of the construction of Her Majesty's aircraft carrier "Albion."
§ The Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty (Commander Allan Noble)I am not yet in a position to state the final cost of this ship, but I do not expect that it will differ greatly from that quoted for Her Majesty's Ship "Centaur" in the Navy Estimates for this year.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider giving information as soon as it is available about the total cost of this vessel in view of the rather disquieting rumours on Tyneside and the damage they can do to the yards in question?
§ Commander NobleI am not aware of the rumours to which the hon. Member refers, but it has been for some years the custom to announce the cost of a ship in the Estimates after it has been accepted, and the ship was only accepted this year.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs it not true to say that the expected cost of this aircraft carrier would be in the region of £15 million?
§ Commander NobleNo, Sir. If the right hon. Gentleman looks at the Estimates to which I referred he will find that the estimated cost is somewhere under £101½ million.
§ Mr. ShinwellSince the Estimates were submitted has it not been understood that the cost would be in excess of that?
§ Commander NobleThat is not my information.