§ Mr. LANSBURYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that on the occasion of the visit of the Fourth Cruiser Squadron to Halifax, Nova Scotia, on 17th November, a concert party from H.M.S. "Essex" arranged to give a consert ashore in aid of the funds of the local Methodist church, but that, owing to
Amount voted for the year. Expenditure to 18th November, 1911. Further anticipated expenditure for the year. Total anticipated expenditure. £ £ £ £ New construction … … 116,640 72,645 42,060 114,705 Repairs, etc., to ships … … 32,360 20,687 12,148 32,835 Yard, etc., services … … 17,000 12,033 7,717 19,750 Manufactures … … 2,000 1,225 725 1,950 Total … … 168,000 106,590 62,650 169,240 In addition to the above expenditure, which is charged to Vote 8, £3,086 have been paid in wages to Works Department men from the commencement of the financial year up to date. It is estimated that £1,770 will be similarly paid for the remainder of the financial year. This, however, does not cover all that will be paid for labour in connection with works, as a contract is in hand for two haul-up slipways for torpedo - boat destroyers amounting to £17,560, of which the contractor expects to earn £12,500 this financial year. How much of this will be paid for labour apart from materials, etc., cannot be estimated.
980Wa signal from the flag-ship, leave was only allowed up till 7 p.m., and the concert was therefore abandoned; whether there was any special reason for disallowing leave on this occasion; and whether he is aware that not only disappointment was experienced by the concert party on the ship but also in the town, where very extensive advertising and other arrangements had been made for making the proposed concert a great success?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe matter referred to in the question of my hon. Friend has not been reported to the Admiralty.