§ Mr. CLOUGHasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the total capital cost of construction and of armament equipment, what is the annual cost in maintenance and ammunition, and what is the annual cost of maintenance and pay of officers and men, including prospective non-effective charges, of the "Ajax," "Audacious," "Queen Mary," "Iron Duke," "Marlborough," "Benbow," 713W "Delhi," "Tiger," "Queen Elizabeth," "Warspite," "Valiant," and the "Barham"?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe information asked for is as follows:—
Ship. Cost of Construction. Estimated Average Annual Cost of Maintenance: Repairs, Stores, Fuel, Ammunition, etc. Estimated Average Annual Charges for Personnel; including Liability for Retired Pay and Pensions. Total Estimated Average Annual Cost of Maintenance. £ £ £ £ "Ajax" … … 1,793,131 60,400 71,295 131,695 "Audacious" … … 1,820,807 60,400 71,295 131,695 "Queen Mary" … … 1,973,714 88,850 94,030 182,880 "Tiger" … … 2,048,027 89,650 94,030 183,680 "Iron Duke" … … 1,929,618 63,930 81,575 145,505 "Marlborough" … … 1,892,137 63,930 81,575 145,505 "Benbow" … … 1,875,815 63,930 81,575 145,505 "Delhi" … … 1,868,717 63,930 81,575 145,505 "Queen Elizabeth" … … *2,314,762 87,320 83,090 170,410 "Warspite" … … *2,325,328 87,320 83,090 170,410 "Valiant" … … *2,356,133 87,320 83,090 170,410 "Barham" … … *2,348,078 87,320 83,090 170,410 * Cost increased by a rise in prices of about 12 per cent.