HC Deb 13 March 1911 vol 22 cc2016-7W
Lord CHARLES BERESFORD

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if, in all other maritime countries, before new vessels are ordered, estimates of the expenditure involved in their construction and armament are submitted to and approved by Parliament; and why in recent years the House has been refused similar information, costly ships being laid down without any particulars of first cost being given?

Mr. McKENNA

The answer to the first part of the Noble Lord's question is in the negative. The practice adopted in this as well as in some other countries appears to be that which is most in the public interest.

Mr. CHIOZZA MONEY

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state, for the United Kingdom and for the German Empire respectively, the expenditure on new naval construction for each of the years 1904–5 to 1910–11 respectively, and the increase per cent. in this respect in 1910–11 as compared with 1904–5 for each of these countries?

Mr. McKENNA

The increase per cent. in expenditure on new naval construction between the years 1904–05 and 1910–11 was:

United Kingdom 16 per cent.
Germany 166 per cent.

The expenditure for each of the years referred to is as follows:—

United Kingdom:—
1904–5 £11,263,019
1905–6 £ 9,688,044
1906–7 £ 8,861,897
1907–8 £ 7,832,589
1908–9 £ 7,406,930
1909–10 £ 9,597,551
1910–11 £13,063,874
(probable expenditure)

Germany.—The amounts appear in the Cameron Corbett (late Thomasson) Re-turn, and are:—

1904–5 £ 4,275,489
1905–6 £ 4,720,206
1906–7 £ 5,167,319
1907–8 £ 5,910,959
1908–9 £ 7,795,499
1909–10 £10,177,062
1910–11 £11,392,856