HC Deb 02 August 1923 vol 167 cc1722-3W
Mr. C. WILSON

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the cost of the latest type of battleship, battle cruiser, light cruiser, destroyer, and submarine, respectively; what proportion of the cost in each case is due to labour and material, respectively; and what is the annual cost in each case of salaries, wages, victualling, and clothing, and of repairs and maintenance, and of other expenses?

Major BOYD-CARPENTER

The cost of a battleship of the latest type, inclusive of torpedoes, ammunition, etc., is estimated at about £7,000,000. Of this approximately £3,200,000 is due to labour and £2,100,000 to material, the remainder being due to profit and a proportionate share of establishment charges other than labour and material, such as rent, rates, maintenance, etc. The cost of a battle cruiser of the latest type is approximately £6,450,000, of which about £2,900,000 is due to labour and £1,950,000 to material. Corresponding figures for a light cruiser of the latest type are £1,770,000, £800,000, and £530,000 resepctively; for a destroyer £275,000, £125,000 and £80,000 respectively; and for a submarine £430,000, £195,000 and £130,000 respectively. The attached table gives the approximate annual cost of the various classes of ships in commission in home waters.

APPROXIMATE ANNUAL COST OF MAINTENANCE IN FULL COMMISSION IN HOME WATERS, AT PRESENT PRICES.
Battleship.* Battle Cruiser. Light Cruiser. Destroyer. Submarine.
NELSON. HOOD. HAWKINS. "W" CLASS. "K" CLASS.
£ £ £ £ £
Full pay, marriage and other allowances, National Health Insurance and Unemployment Insurance. 217,600 189,500 108,400 18,500 14,000
Victualling, clothing and mess gear. 75,400 63,400 37,600 6,400 3,000
Medical stores, etc. 740 630 370 70 30
Miscellaneous effective services. 4,460 3,760 2,220 380 170
Fuel and lubricating oil 28,600‡ 54,500 30,000 5,100 3,300
Sea stores 14,800‡ 22,000 7,000 1,600 250
Repairs 26.000 28,000 18,000 4,000 17,000†
Armament stores, etc. 67,850 37,930 13,940 2,940 950
TOTAL DIRECT CHARGES 435,450 399,720 217,530 38,990 38,700
Liability in respect of retired pay and pensions. 58,200 53,450 31,900 5,400 3,050
GRAND TOTAL 493,650 453,170 249,430 44,390 41,750
* Under Construction.
† Including renewals of portions of batteries.
‡ Estimated cost.