§ Captain W. BENNasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can now state what is the total sum which has been paid in connection with the four abandoned battleships of last year's programme; and what will be the total amount spent for this Service?
§ Mr. AMERYThe total payments to the 10th April amounted to£935,218, of which sum all but about£60,000 is in connection with material which will be required in any case for the two new ships to be built in substitution. I am not at present in a position to state what further liability will fall upon the Admiralty, as the negotiations referred to in my reply of 8th March are still proceeding.