HC Deb 10 March 1954 vol 524 cc2211-2
11. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the estimated cost of the latest type of submarine.

Mr. J. P. L. Thomas

I regret that it would not be in the public interest to give this information.

Mr. Hughes

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in America the price of the latest submarine is given as £18 million? Is it out of consideration for the taxpayers or for security interests that the right hon. Gentleman is not telling the cost of his new submarine?

Mr. Thomas

It is for various reasons, one of which is that I see no reason to give prior information to other countries that may be interested in it. As the hon. Gentleman knows full well, the estimated costs the Admiralty never gives. If a vessel is accepted for service then its cost is published in the Navy Estimates, and the hon. Gentleman and I can discuss it in the ensuing debate on those Estimates.

Commander Donaldson

In view of my right hon. Friend's remarks yesterday regarding propulsion of the new submarine by hydrogen peroxide, will he re-christen the first of this class H.M.S "Blondie"?