HC Deb 29 January 1930 vol 234 cc1019-20W
Mr. HORE-BELISHA

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will give particulars of the 1929 naval shipbuilding programme, as approved by Parliament, setting out the dockyards and private firms, respectively, in which these vessels were to be constructed and showing which of them have been abandoned?

Mr. ALEXANDER

The new programme of 1929 as approved by Parliament is set out in the current Navy Estimates and consists of:

3 Cruisers (of which one was to have been armed with 8 in. guns).
1 Flotilla Leader.
8 Destroyers.
6 Submarines.
1 Netlayer and Target Towing Vessel.
6 Sloops.

Of these ships, two cruisers, two submarines, the netlayer and two sloops were to be built in His Majesty's dockyards, and the remainder by contract. Orders for two of the sloops have already been placed with Devonport and Chatham Dockyards respectively. The following vessels have been deleted from the programme:

2 Cruisers (including the 8 in. gun ship).
4 Destroyers.
1 Netlayer and Target Towing Vessel.
2 Sloops.
3 Submarines.

A decision as to proceeding with the remaining three submarines will be taken after the London Naval Conference has been concluded.